Differentiating trigonometric F'ns with double angles

Feodalherren
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Homework Statement


Sin(tan(2x))
With respect to x


Homework Equations


Differentiation


The Attempt at a Solution



My question is whether I can simply use d/dx (Tan x) = Sec^2(X) to extrapolate that to d/dx(tan 2x) = Sec^2(2x) ?

Or do I have to convert to sine/cosine and go from there?
 
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Well,

You I want to point out that (tan2x)' does not equal to sec^2(2x). (Error in technique).

However, the generally idea isn ok (assuming you using the chain rule in regards to sin(tan(2x)).
 
So this problem can't be solved by using the chain rule thusly:

d/dx Sin(tan 2x) = cos(tan2x)Sec^2(2x)?

It turns into:

Sin(tan 2x) (2)d/dx [sinxcosx / (cos^2(X) - Sin^2(x))]quotient rule etc... damn this is going to be messy. Am I on the right track at least?
 
Last edited:
"d/dx Sin(tan 2x) = cos(tan2x)Sec^2(2x)?"

This is essentially correct, but you're making an error when you take the derivative of tan2x. I'm hoping you look at that part just a little harder and figure out what that error exactly is.
 
d/dx tan 2x = [sec^2 (2x)] (2)

?
 
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