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Derivative of The Natural Log Function PDF

The derivative of the natural log function ln(x) is 1/x for x > 0. Using the chain rule, the derivative of ln(u) where u is a function of x is u'/u. Examples are provided to demonstrate taking the derivative of more complex logarithmic expressions by first using logarithm properties to simplify and then applying the chain rule. The rule is extended to cases when the argument of the logarithm involves an absolute value.

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Lazar Mihai
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342 views10 pages

Derivative of The Natural Log Function PDF

The derivative of the natural log function ln(x) is 1/x for x > 0. Using the chain rule, the derivative of ln(u) where u is a function of x is u'/u. Examples are provided to demonstrate taking the derivative of more complex logarithmic expressions by first using logarithm properties to simplify and then applying the chain rule. The rule is extended to cases when the argument of the logarithm involves an absolute value.

Uploaded by

Lazar Mihai
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Derivative of the natural log

function
Let s explore the derivative of the natural log
function, ln x
1
f ( x) = e ... then.... f ( x) = ln x
x

Then, by the definition of the derivatives of inverse functions .

1
f ( x ) = e ... then.... f ( x ) = ln x
x

d 1
[ln x ] = 1
dx f '( f ( x ))
f '( f 1 ( x )) = f '(ln x )
and .....
f '( x ) = e x ....... f '(ln x ) = e ln x
d 1 f '( f 1 ( x )) = f '(ln x )
[ln x] = 1 and .....
dx f '( f ( x))
f '( x ) = e x ....... f '(ln x ) = e ln x
So.

d 1
dx
[ln x ] = ln x
e
But
e ln x
=x
d 1
[ln x ] =
dx x
Derivative of the Natural Log function:

Let u be a differentiable function of x.


d 1
ln x = , _ ( x > 0)
dx x
'
d u
ln u = ,(u > 0)
dx u
d 1
ln x = , _ ( x > 0)
dx x
Proof:
Recall that the natural log function is the
inverse of natural exponential (base e)
function.

f ( x) = e x

1
f ( x ) = ln x
1 1 1
( f )'( x) = 1
, of _ course_ f '( f ( x)) 0
f '( f ( x))
d 1 1
ln x = ' 1 =
dx f ( f ( x)) f '(ln x)
d 1 1 1
ln x = = ln x =
dx f '(ln x) e x
d u'
ln u = ,(u > 0)
dx u

This is the chain rule


1. Derivative of the outside puts u in the denominator of the


fraction.

2. Derivative of the inside puts u in the numerator of the


fraction.

Examples:

d u' 2 1
d
ln(2 x ) = ln(2 x ) = = =
dx dx u 2x x

d d u' 2x
ln( x 2 + 1) = ln( x + 1) = = 2
2
dx dx u x +1

d ! d $ ! d $
d [ x ln(x) ] = #" [ ]&%
x ln x + #" [ ln x ]&% x
x ln( x) = dx dx dx
dx
d ! 1$
dx
[ x ln(x)] = ln x + # & x = ln x +1
" x%
Use Logarithmic Properties to simplify
expressions before taking the derivative.

For instance ..

f ( x ) = ln x + 1, find _ f '( x )

First, simplify the expression.



1 1
f ( x ) = ln( x + 1) 2 f ( x ) = ln( x + 1)
2
Now, find f (x).

1! 1 $
f '(x) = #
2 " x +1 &%
( )
2
Another
x x +1 2

f (x) = ln , find _ f '(x)


2x !1 3

Pr oduct _ Rule: Quotient _ Rule:


logb MN = logb M + logb N M
logb = logb M logb N
N

1
f ( x ) = ln x + 2 ln( x + 1) ln(2 x 1)
2 3

2
1 ! 2x $ ! $
1 ! 6x 2
$
f '(x) = + ( 2 ) # 2 & ' # & # 3 &
x " x +1% " 2 % " 2x '1%

1 ! 4x $ ! 3x 2 $
f '(x) = + # 2 & ' # 3 &
x " x +1% " 2x '1%
Derivative of natural log function if has
absolute value:

If u is a differentiable function of x such


that u does not equal 0, then .

d u'
ln u =
dx u
Example:

d d u' 2
ln 2 x 1 = ln 2 x 1 = =
dx dx u 2x 1

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