Source: Extra Practice
If y = x / sin(x), what is the derivative dy/dx with respect to x?
Options
Option A is correct
(sin(x) - x*cos(x)) / sin²(x)
Option B
(x*cos(x) - sin(x)) / sin²(x)
Option C
(sin(x) + x*cos(x)) / sin²(x)
Option D
1 / cos(x)
Explanation
We use the Quotient Rule: d/dx [u/v] = (vdu/dx - udv/dx) / v². Here, u = x and v = sin(x). Therefore, du/dx = 1 and dv/dx = cos(x). Substituting these into the formula: dy/dx = (sin(x) * 1 - x * cos(x)) / (sin(x))² = (sin(x) - x*cos(x)) / sin²(x). Option B reverses the order of the numerator terms (leading to a sign error), Option C incorrectly uses addition instead of subtraction, and Option D is a common mistake where students differentiate numerator and denominator independently (violating the quotient rule).