In mathematics, differential calculus is a branch of mathematics that deals with the process of finding the derivative of a function. It is the study of the rate of change of quantities with respect to other variables.
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The process of finding the derivative of the given function is called the differentiation. The concept of differential calculus is basically about cutting something into smaller pieces to find the rate of change. In general, if an equation involves the derivative of the dependent variable with respect to the independent variable, then it is called the differential equation.
dy/dx = f(x)
In this case, “x” is an independent variable and “y” is a dependent variable.
Generally, the derivatives are used to determine the followings:
It is used to find the rate of change of quantities.
It is used to find the equation of a tangent and a normal to a curve at a point.
It is used to find the turning point on the graph function, which helps to locate the point where the largest or smallest value of the function occurs.
It is used to find the intervals where the function is increasing or decreasing.
It is used to find the approximate value of certain quantities.
For example, find the rate of change of the area of a circle per second with respect to the radius, when r is 5 cm.
We know that the area of a circle is A = πr2.
Therefore, the rate of change of area with respect to the radius is given by:
dA/dr = (d/dr)( πr2)
dA/dr = 2πr
When r = 5 cm, then it becomes
dA/dr = 10π
Hence, the area of a circle is changing at the rate of 10π cm2/s.
Differential Calculus Approximations
Now, let us have a look at the differentials which are used to approximate certain quantities. Let a function f in x be defined such that f: D →R, D ⊂ R. Let y = f(x). Let a small increase in x be denoted by ∆x. If x increases by ∆x then the corresponding increase in y is given by ∆y = f(x + ∆x) – f(x).
Based on the above discussion, we can define the following:
The differential of x which is represented as dx is given by dx = ∆x.
Differential of y which is represented as dy is given by dy = f’(x)dx = (dy/dx) ∆x.
If in case the differential of x or dx = ∆x is comparatively very insignificant in comparison to x then dy is a good approximation of ∆y and dy ≈ ∆y.
From the above discussion, it can be observed that differential of the independent variable is equal to the increase in the variable, but on the other hand, the differential of the dependent variable is not equal to the increase of the variable.
Let us look into the examples to have a better insight.
Find the approximate value of the function f(3.02), where f(x) is given as 3x2+5x+3.
Solution:
Given that, f(x) = 3x2+5x+3
Assume x = 3, and ∆x = 0.02.
Hence, we can write the given function as:
f (3. 02) = f (x + ∆x) = 3(x + ∆x)2 + 5(x + ∆x) + 3
We know that,
∆y = f (x + ∆x) – f (x).
The above expression can be written as
f (x + ∆x) = f (x) + ∆y
As, dx = ∆x, it can be approximately written as f (x) + f ′(x) ∆x
Hence, f (3.02) ≈ (3x2 + 5x + 3) + (6x + 5) ∆x
Now, substitute the values of x and ∆x, we get
= (3(3)2 + 5(3) + 3) + (6(3) + 5) (0.02)
Now, simplify it to get the approximate value
= (27 + 15 + 3) + (18 + 5) (0.02)
= 45 + 0.46
= 45.46
Therefore, the approximate value of f(3.02) is 45.46.
Practice Problems
Solve the following Problems:
Find the approximate value of (26)⅓ using differentials
Find the approximate value of f(2.01), where f (x) = 4x2 + 5x + 2.
Determine the approximate error in calculating the surface area, if the radius of the sphere is measured as 9 cm with an error of 0.03 cm.
Neeraj Anand, Param Anand
Er. Neeraj K.Anand is a freelance mentor and writer who specializes in Engineering & Science subjects. Neeraj Anand received a B.Tech degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from N.I.T Warangal & M.Tech Post Graduation from IETE, New Delhi. He has over 30 years of teaching experience and serves as the Head of Department of ANAND CLASSES. He concentrated all his energy and experiences in academics and subsequently grew up as one of the best mentors in the country for students aspiring for success in competitive examinations.
In parallel, he started a Technical Publication "ANAND TECHNICAL PUBLISHERS" in 2002 and Educational Newspaper "NATIONAL EDUCATION NEWS" in 2014 at Jalandhar. Now he is a Director of leading publication "ANAND TECHNICAL PUBLISHERS", "ANAND CLASSES" and "NATIONAL EDUCATION NEWS".
He has published more than hundred books in the field of Physics, Mathematics, Computers and Information Technology. Besides this he has written many books to help students prepare for IIT-JEE and AIPMT entrance exams. He is an executive member of the IEEE (Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers. USA) and honorary member of many Indian scientific societies such as Institution of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineers, Aeronautical Society of India, Bioinformatics Institute of India, Institution of Engineers. He has got award from American Biographical Institute Board of International Research in the year 2005.
CBSE Class 12 Maths Syllabus 2025-26 with Marks Distribution
The table below shows the marks weightage along with the number of periods required for teaching. The Maths theory paper is of 80 marks, and the internal assessment is of 20 marks which totally comes out to be 100 marks.
CBSE Class 12 Maths Syllabus And Marks Distribution 2023-24
Max Marks: 80
No.
Units
Marks
I.
Relations and Functions
08
II.
Algebra
10
III.
Calculus
35
IV.
Vectors and Three – Dimensional Geometry
14
V.
Linear Programming
05
VI.
Probability
08
Total Theory
80
Internal Assessment
20
Grand Total
100
Unit-I: Relations and Functions
1. Relations and Functions
Types of relations: reflexive, symmetric, transitive and equivalence relations. One to one and onto functions.
2. Inverse Trigonometric Functions
Definition, range, domain, principal value branch. Graphs of inverse trigonometric functions.
Unit-II: Algebra
1. Matrices
Concept, notation, order, equality, types of matrices, zero and identity matrix, transpose of a matrix, symmetric and skew symmetric matrices. Operations on matrices: Addition and multiplication and multiplication with a scalar. Simple properties of addition, multiplication and scalar multiplication. Noncommutativity of multiplication of matrices and existence of non-zero matrices whose product is the zero matrix (restrict to square matrices of order 2). Invertible matrices and proof of the uniqueness of inverse, if it exists; (Here all matrices will have real entries).
2. Determinants
Determinant of a square matrix (up to 3 x 3 matrices), minors, co-factors and applications of determinants in finding the area of a triangle. Adjoint and inverse of a square matrix. Consistency, inconsistency and number of solutions of system of linear equations by examples, solving system of linear equations in two or three variables (having unique solution) using inverse of a matrix.
Unit-III: Calculus
1. Continuity and Differentiability
Continuity and differentiability, derivative of composite functions, chain rule, derivative of inverse trigonometric functions like sin-1 x, cos-1 x and tan-1 x, derivative of implicit functions. Concept of exponential and logarithmic functions. Derivatives of logarithmic and exponential functions. Logarithmic differentiation, derivative of functions expressed in parametric forms. Second order derivatives.
2. Applications of Derivatives
Applications of derivatives: rate of change of quantities, increasing/decreasing functions, maxima and minima (first derivative test motivated geometrically and second derivative test given as a provable tool). Simple problems (that illustrate basic principles and understanding of the subject as well as real-life situations).
3. Integrals
Integration as inverse process of differentiation. Integration of a variety of functions by substitution, by partial fractions and by parts, Evaluation of simple integrals of the following types and problems based on them.
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (without proof). Basic properties of definite integrals and evaluation of definite integrals.
4. Applications of the Integrals
Applications in finding the area under simple curves, especially lines, circles/ parabolas/ellipses (in standard form only)
5. Differential Equations
Definition, order and degree, general and particular solutions of a differential equation. Solution of differential equations by method of separation of variables, solutions of homogeneous differential equations of first order and first degree. Solutions of linear differential equation of the type:
dy/dx + py = q, where p and q are functions of x or constants.
dx/dy + px = q, where p and q are functions of y or constants.
Unit-IV: Vectors and Three-Dimensional Geometry
1. Vectors
Vectors and scalars, magnitude and direction of a vector. Direction cosines and direction ratios of a vector. Types of vectors (equal, unit, zero, parallel and collinear vectors), position vector of a point, negative of a vector, components of a vector, addition of vectors, multiplication of a vector by a scalar, position vector of a point dividing a line segment in a given ratio. Definition, Geometrical Interpretation, properties and application of scalar (dot) product of vectors, vector (cross) product of vectors.
2. Three – dimensional Geometry
Direction cosines and direction ratios of a line joining two points. Cartesian equation and vector equation of a line, skew lines, shortest distance between two lines. Angle between two lines.
Unit-V: Linear Programming
1. Linear Programming
Introduction, related terminology such as constraints, objective function, optimization, graphical method of solution for problems in two variables, feasible and infeasible regions (bounded or unbounded), feasible and infeasible solutions, optimal feasible solutions (up to three non-trivial constraints).
Unit-VI: Probability
1. Probability
Conditional probability, multiplication theorem on probability, independent events, total probability, Bayes’ theorem, Random variable and its probability distribution, mean of random variable.
Students can go through the CBSE Class 12 Syllabus to get the detailed syllabus of all subjects. Get access to interactive lessons and videos related to Maths and Science with ANAND CLASSES’S App/ Tablet.
Frequently Asked Questions on CBSE Class 12 Maths Syllabus 2025-26
Q1
Is Calculus an important chapter in the CBSE Class 12 Maths Syllabus?
Yes, Calculus is an important chapter in the CBSE Class 12 Maths Syllabus. It is for 35 marks which means that if a student is thorough with this chapter will be able to pass the final exam.
Q2
How many units are discussed in the CBSE Class 12 Maths Syllabus?
In the CBSE Class 12 Maths Syllabus, about 6 units are discussed, which contains a total of 13 chapters.
Q3
How many marks are allotted for internals in the CBSE Class 12 Maths syllabus?
About 20 marks are allotted for internals in the CBSE Class 12 Maths Syllabus. Students can score it with ease through constant practice.
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