___________________________________________________________________________________

Unit 8. Transcendental Curve Tracing

Overview
Module 8 deals with the tangent and normal lines, maxima, and minima and
the First Derivative Test, concavity and the Second Derivative Test, point of
inflection, and sketching of transcendental curves. This covers the same topic as
those in sketching polynomial curves.

Sketching the graph of logarithmic and exponential functions using distinct

properties of curve tracing not found in the ordinary method of plotting of points.
Intended Learning Outcomes_____________________________________________ _

At the end of the module, I can:

1. Sketch the graph of logarithmic and exponential functions using distinct

properties of curve tracing not found in the ordinary method of plotting of
points.

Topics

8. Transcendental Curve Tracing

8.1 Logarithmic Functions

8.2 Exponential Functions
Lesson Proper_________________________________________________________________
Unit 8. Transcendental Curve Tracing

Logarithmic and Exponential Functions

The topics in the applications of the derivatives of transcendental functions

are the same those topics in the applications of derivatives of algebraic functions.
The following are the discussions of some examples of finding the equations of
tangents and normals to the curve and curve tracing using the derivatives of
transcendental functions.

Tangents and Normals to the Curve

Example 1.

Find the equations of the tangent and normal lines to the curve y=x 2 e−x
at x=1.

Solution:

First, solve for the point of tangency, this is the point of the curve where x=1.

When x=1, y=x 2 e−x

y=(1)2 e−(1)
y=e−1

Therefore the point of tangency is (1 , e−1)

Second, solve for the derivative f '

y=x 2 e−x
d −x
y ' =f ' ( x )=x 2 ( e ) + ( e− x ) d (x 2 )
dx dx
' 2 −x
f ( x )=x ( e ) (−1 )+ ( e−x ) (2 x)
f ' ( x )=( e−x ) (−1+2 x)
f ' ( x )=( e−x ) (2 x −1)

When x=1, f ' ( 1 )=( e−1) (2• 1−1)

f ' ( 1 )=e−1----- the slope of the tangent line
 The equation of the tangent line at ( 1 , e−1 ) is

y−e−1=e−1 (x−1)
y−e−1=e−1 x−e−1
y=e−1

The equation of the normal line at( 1 , e−1 ) is

−1
y−e−1= ( x−1)
e−1
e−1 ( y−e−1)=−( x−1)
e−1 ( y−e−1 ) =1−x

Example 2

Find the tangent and normal lines to the curve y=x ln x at x=e.

Solution:

Solve for the point of tangency, that is the point on the curve where x=e.

when x=e, y=x ln x

y=e ln e
y=x ln x
d
y ' =f ' ( x )=x ¿
dx
f ' ( x )=x ( 1x )+(ln x )(1)
f ' ( x )=1+( ln x)

when x=e, f ' ( e )=1+(ln e)

f ' ( e )=2----- slope of the tangent line

Hence, the equation of the tangent line is

y=e
Therefore the point of tangency is ( e , e )

Now, solve for the derivative f ' (x )

 y−e=2( x−e)
y−e=2 x−2e
2 x− y−e=0

Example 3

Find the equation of the tangent line to y=ln x that is parallel to the line
2 x− y +1=0.

Solution:

Solve for the slope of the given line,

2 x− y +1=0
2− y '=0
y '=2 (1) ---- slope of the line

Next, solve for the derivative of the given curve

1
y '= (2)
x

Solve for the equations simultaneously to solve for x

1
2=
x
2 x=1
1
x=
2

1 1
When x= , y=ln
2 2
y=ln (1 )−ln(2)
y=−ln 2

Therefore the point of tangency is ¿

Hence, the equation of the tangent line is
y−¿
y + ln 2=2 x−1
2 x− y−1−ln 2=0
Curve Tracing

Example 1

Find the relative maxima and minima, inflection point, and sketch the
graph of the equation y=x e−x .

Solution:

Solve for the derivative

y=x e−x .
d d
y ' =f ' ( x)=x (e ¿¿−x)+e− x (x )¿ .
dx dx
f ' ( x )=x (−e− x )+e− x (1).
f ' ( x )=e− x ( 1−x)

Set y ' =0 , solve for x

0=e−x (1−x)
x=1

x=1, solve for y

y=f ( 1 )=( 1) e−1
y=e−1
Therefore, the critical point is, (1 , e−1)

Test whether ¿) is maximum or minimum using f (x

d d
f ' ' ( x ) =e−x (1−x )+ (1−x ) ( e− x )
dx dx
f ' ' ( x ) =e−x (−1 )+ ( 1−x ) ( −e−x )
f ' ' ( x ) =e−x ( x−2)

Test the critical point ( 1 , e−1 )

f ' ' (1 ) =e−1 (1−2)

f ' ' (1 )=−e−1 <0, therefore ( 1 , e−1 ) is relative min
Set f ' ' ( x ) =0 ,
f ' ' (1 ) =e−1 (1−2)
0=e−1 (1−2)
x=2 ---- critical value of x

When x=2 , y=f ( 2 ) =2 e−2

Therefore ( 2 , 2 e−2 ) is the point of inflection

The graph of y=x e−x is

Figure 8.1
Assessing Learning_________________________________________________________________

Activity 1
Name: _____________________ Score: _______________
Section: ____________________ Date: ________________

Solve the following:

1. Find the equations of the lines tangent and normal to the curve y=ln x
at x=e.

2. Find the equations of the lines tangent and normal to the curve
y=e−x ln x at x=0.

3. Find the equation of the normal line to the curve y=ln ( 1x ) having slope 2.

4. Find the equation of the tangent line to the curve y=ln x perpendicular to the
line 3 x+ 2 y −7=0.
Assessing Learning_________________________________________________________________

Activity 2
Name: _____________________ Score: _______________
Section: ____________________

Find the relative maxima and minima, inflection points, and sketch the graph.

1. f ( x )=x 2 e−x

2. f ( x )=2 x 2 ln x

1
3. y=
1+e−1

4. y=e−x sin x
References_________________________________________________________

Finley, T. Calculus and Analytic Geometry. Addison-Wesley Publishing

Company,
8th Edition, 1993.

Leithold, L. The Calculus with Analytic Geometry. Harper and Row Publishers,
1990.

Longley, W.R. Elements of Differential Calculus. Ginn and Company. New

Revised
Edition, 1957.

Love, C. and Rainville, E. Differential and Integral Calculus. The Macmillan Co.,
6th Edition, 1970.

Mateo, R.A., Perez, A.P., Ymas Jr., S.E. Integral Calculus, Ymas Publishing
House. 2002.

Peterson, T.S. Calculus with Analytic Geometry. Harper Edition, 1968.

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