Table of contents
- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
- 8. Definite Integrals4h 44m
- 9. Graphical Applications of Integrals2h 27m
- 10. Physics Applications of Integrals 2h 22m
6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions
Logarithmic Differentiation
Problem 3.9.94
Textbook Question
Calculate the derivative of the following functions (i) using the fact that bx = exIn b and (ii) using logarithmic differentiation. Verify that both answers are the same.
y = (4x+1)In x

1
Step 1: To find the derivative using the fact that b^x = e^(x ln b), rewrite the function y = (4x+1) ln x in terms of exponential functions. This involves expressing any power terms in the form of e^(x ln b).
Step 2: Apply the product rule to differentiate y = (4x+1) ln x. The product rule states that if you have a function y = u*v, then the derivative y' = u'v + uv'. Here, u = (4x+1) and v = ln x.
Step 3: Differentiate u = (4x+1) to get u' = 4. Differentiate v = ln x to get v' = 1/x. Substitute these derivatives into the product rule formula to find the derivative of y.
Step 4: For logarithmic differentiation, take the natural logarithm of both sides of the equation y = (4x+1) ln x, which gives ln y = ln((4x+1) ln x). Differentiate both sides with respect to x using implicit differentiation.
Step 5: After differentiating, solve for dy/dx. Compare the derivative obtained from logarithmic differentiation with the derivative obtained using the product rule to verify that both methods yield the same result.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Derivative
The derivative of a function measures how the function's output value changes as its input value changes. It is a fundamental concept in calculus, representing the slope of the tangent line to the curve of the function at any given point. The derivative can be calculated using various rules, such as the power rule, product rule, and chain rule, depending on the form of the function.
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Exponential and Logarithmic Functions
Exponential functions are of the form b^x, where b is a constant and x is the variable. They can be expressed using natural logarithms as b^x = e^(x ln b). Logarithmic functions, the inverses of exponential functions, help simplify the differentiation of complex expressions, especially when dealing with products or powers, making them essential for techniques like logarithmic differentiation.
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Derivatives of General Logarithmic Functions
Logarithmic Differentiation
Logarithmic differentiation is a technique used to differentiate functions that are products or powers of variables. By taking the natural logarithm of both sides of the equation, the differentiation process becomes simpler, allowing the use of properties of logarithms to break down complex expressions. This method is particularly useful for functions where the variable is in both the base and the exponent.
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