MODULE 7

Derivative of Exponential &

Logarithmic Functions

Subject Objectives

At the end of the course, the students must be able to apply concepts and solve
problems involving limits, differentiation and antidifferentiation.

Start-up Activity

Is Math too boring and stressful for you?

You may find another motivation to study the
subject! As we scroll through social media, we can
find different fun memes about certain events or
personalities. But if you are following different
Math or STEM pages, you may see memes like
this. They may even say that these are jokes for
“smart people” for not everyone can relate to it.
Isn’t it fun that you can understand “inside jokes”
of STEM/Engineering students like this one? Now
we can have a new motivation to study Math – so
that we can understand more Math memes!
In this lesson, we will discuss the context of this meme when it comes to the
derivatives of exponential (and logarithmic) functions.

Subject Content

Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

For this part of the module. we will not discuss all of the exponential and
logarithmic functions, but we will be focusing on related functions involving the Euler’s
number 𝑒. But first let us recall certain concepts about exponential and logarithmic
functions which are inverses of each other:
𝑏𝑦 = 𝑥
log 𝑏 𝑥 = 𝑦
The equations above are the equivalents of both functions in different forms.

Basic Calculus
Year Revised: 2020 Page 1 of 6
The equations below involves transformation between these two types of functions and are
equivalent to each other:
53 = 125 log 5 125 = 3
2
6 = 36 log 6 36 = 2
44 = 256 log 4 256 = 4

Euler’s Number and Natural Logarithm

Euler’s (pronounced as “Oiler”) number 𝑒 is an irrational number that is after
Leonhard Euler. It is approximately 𝒆 = 𝟐. 𝟕𝟐 if we round off to two decimal places. It has
many interesting characteristics and has many uses when it comes to Calculus.
Natural Logarithm (𝒍𝒏) is a logarithm with 𝑒 as its base. In symbol form:
𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝒆 𝒙 = 𝐥𝐧 𝒙
Now that we have recalled certain concepts about 𝑒 and 𝑙𝑛, now we can proceed to solving
for the derivatives involving these expressions.

Derivative of Exponential Function 𝒆

Given 𝑒 𝑥 , then:
𝒅 𝒙
𝒆 = 𝒆𝒙
𝒅𝒙

This is one of the reasons of why Euler’s number 𝑒 is unique and very beautiful. Getting its
derivative raised to certain exponents will not change the function. That is why from our
𝒅
start-up activity, applying the operation to 𝑒 𝑥 does not make any difference. Now you can
𝒅𝒙
understand the meme if it shows up on your social media feed. Since this is the case,
solving for the derivative involving 𝑒 is usually paired up with other rules or formulas.

Examples:
𝟏) 𝒚 = 𝒆𝟑𝒙
We will be applying chain rule here and take the exponent of 𝑒 as our inner function.
Always remember that getting the derivative of 𝑒 𝑥 will not change it so we have to retain the
exponent.
𝑦 = 𝑒 3𝑥
𝑦 ′ = 𝑓′(𝑔(𝑥)) • 𝑔′(𝑥)
𝑦 ′ = 𝑒 3𝑥 • 3𝑥 (𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑅𝑢𝑙𝑒)
𝒚′ = 𝟑𝒙𝒆𝟑𝒙 (𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠)

𝟐 −𝟑𝒙+𝟏
𝟐) 𝒚 = 𝒆𝒙
Same as our previous example, we will be using Chain Rule with the exponent as the
“inner” function then multiply it to the derivative of our exponent.
2 −3𝑥+1
𝑦 = 𝑒𝑥
𝑦 ′ = 𝑓′(𝑔(𝑥)) • 𝑔′(𝑥)
2 −3𝑥+1
𝑦′ = 𝑒 𝑥 • (2𝑥 − 3) (𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑅𝑢𝑙𝑒)
𝑥 2 −3𝑥+1
𝑦 ′ = (2𝑥 − 3)𝑒 (𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑠)

Basic Calculus
Year Revised: 2020 Page 2 of 6
Be careful on the grouping symbol when it comes to this example. Remember that we are
multiplying to the whole derivative of our inner function, so we have to get the products
involving 2𝑥 − 3.

𝟑 +𝟏)𝟑
3) 𝒚 = 𝒆(𝟐𝒙
Now we have a Chain Rule within a Chain Rule. We have to get the derivative of the
exponent by getting the derivative of our another “inner function” 2𝑥 3 + 1.
3 +1)3
𝑦 = 𝑒 (2𝑥
𝑦 ′ = 𝑓′(𝑔(𝑥)) • 𝑔′(𝑥)
3 +1)3
𝑦′ = 𝑒 (2𝑥 • 3(2𝑥 3 + 1)2 (6𝑥 2 )
3 +1)3
𝑦 ′ = 18𝑥 2 (2𝑥 3 + 1)2 𝑒 (2𝑥

𝟐
𝒆𝟑𝒙
𝟒) 𝒚 = 𝟐 −𝟒
𝒆𝒙
We can observe the quotient of two exponential functions in this example. We may be
tempted so solve this using Quotient Rule of Differentiation. While that method will lead us
to the right answer, its process is very long and tedious. But if were able to observe right
away that they are quotients involving exponents with the same base, we can easily apply
Laws of Exponents to simplify the equation first before taking its derivative.
2
𝑒 3𝑥
𝑦= 2 −4
𝑒𝑥
2 −(𝑥 2 −4)
𝑦 = 𝑒 3𝑥
2 +4
𝑦 = 𝑒 2𝑥
Now we apply our previous methods to solve for the derivative of the function.
𝑦 ′ = 𝑓′(𝑔(𝑥)) • 𝑔′(𝑥)
2 +4
𝑦′ = 𝑒 2𝑥 • (4𝑥)
𝟐𝒙𝟐 +𝟒
𝒚′ = 𝟒𝒙𝒆

Derivative of Natural Logarithm 𝒍𝒏

Given ln 𝑥, then:
𝑑 1
ln 𝑥 =
𝑑𝑥 𝑥

Usually, this formula is paired up with the Chain Rule of differentiation. Notice that the 𝑥
in which we are getting the 𝑙𝑛 is the same as the denominator of the derivative. In this case,
we can just copy the “inside” term of the 𝑙𝑛 to the denominator then multiply it to its
derivative.
Examples:
𝟏) 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐧 𝒙𝟑
Using Chain Rule and letting 𝑥 3 be our “inner function”, we only need to copy it in our
denominator then multiply to its derivative.
𝑦 ′ = 𝑓′(𝑔(𝑥)) • 𝑔′(𝑥)
1
𝑦′ = (3𝑥 2 )
𝑥3

Basic Calculus
Year Revised: 2020 Page 3 of 6
 3𝑥 2
𝑦′ =
𝑥3
𝟑
𝒚′ =
𝒙

𝟐) 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐧 (𝟐𝒙 − 𝟒)𝟑
This example is a step above our previous one because we still need to apply another Chain
Rule for our inner function. Copying the inner function to the denominator then
multiplying the whole term to its derivative:
𝑦 ′ = 𝑓′(𝑔(𝑥)) • 𝑔′(𝑥)
1
𝑦′ = (3)(2𝑥 − 4)2 (2)
(2𝑥 − 4)3
6(2𝑥 − 4)2
𝑦′ =
(2𝑥 − 4)3
𝟔
𝒚′ =
𝟐𝒙 − 𝟒

√𝒙 − 𝟏
𝟑) 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐧
𝒙𝟐 − 𝟔
Solving this example directly will lead us to multiple Chain Rules. This is why we will be
applying a specific rule or law of logarithm to simplify our equation first. By Logarithm of a
Quotient:
𝑀
log = log 𝑀 − log 𝑁
𝑁
Since 𝑙𝑛 is also a logarithm with base 𝑒, we can apply this rule. We will be taking the
numerator and denominator of the terms inside 𝑙𝑛 then we will get their difference as per
the rule above.
√𝑥 − 1 1
𝑦 = ln 2
= ln(𝑥 − 1)2 − ln(𝑥 2 − 6)
𝑥 −6
1
Then applying Logarithm of a Power, we can bring down the exponent of our first term as
2

the product of the logarithm.

1
𝑦= ln(𝑥 − 1) − ln(𝑥 2 − 6)
2
With our equation now simplified, we will then use Chain Rule to solve for the derivative of
our function.
1 1 1
𝑦′ = ( ) (1) − [( 2 ) (2𝑥)]
2 𝑥−1 𝑥 −6
𝟏 𝟐𝒙
𝒚′ = −
𝟐(𝒙 − 𝟏) 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟔

𝟓) 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐧 (𝐥𝐧 𝟓𝒙𝟒 )
This example looks intimidating for we have two natural logarithms involved. But we only
have to apply our previous methods to solve for this one. We will just copy the inner
function as our denominator then multiply it to its derivative.
𝑦 = ln (ln 5𝑥 4 )
1 1
𝑦′ = ( )( ) (20𝑥 3 )
ln 5𝑥 4 5𝑥 4
𝟐𝟎𝒙𝟑
𝒚′ =
𝟓𝒙𝟒 𝐥𝐧 𝟓𝒙𝟒

Basic Calculus
Year Revised: 2020 Page 4 of 6
 Self-Reflection

Encircle
your
answer

FORM
Read each statement and check ( ) the box that reflects your work
today.
Name: Date:

Section:

Strongly Strongly
Agree Disagree
Agree Disagree

1. I found this work interesting.

2. I make a strong effort.
3. I am proud of the results.
4. I understood all the
instructions.
5. I followed all the steps.
6. I learned something new.
7. I feel ready for the next
assignment.
www.ldatschool.ca/executive-function/self-assessment/

Basic Calculus
Year Revised: 2020 Page 5 of 6
 Task Sheet #3

Solve for the derivatives of the following exponential and natural logarithmic functions:

𝟏) 𝒚 = 𝒆𝟐𝒙+𝟏

𝟐) 𝒚 = 𝒆√𝒙
𝟐 −𝟏𝟔

𝟒𝒙𝟓
𝟑) 𝒚 = 𝒆𝒆
𝟒) 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐧 (𝟒𝒙𝟐 − 𝟕𝐱 + 𝟏)
𝟓) 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐧 (𝒙𝟓 − 𝟐𝒙𝟑 + 𝟕)𝟓
𝟔) 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐧 (√𝒙)(𝒙𝟐 − 𝟓)

Basic Calculus
Year Revised: 2020 Page 6 of 6