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Differentiation of Exp, Log and Trig Functions

The document covers the differentiation of exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions in differential calculus. It provides formulas and proofs for the derivatives of these functions, including specific rules for e^x, log_a(x), and trigonometric functions such as sin(x) and cos(x). Additionally, it discusses the application of the chain rule and implicit differentiation in finding derivatives.

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m83119041
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11 views8 pages

Differentiation of Exp, Log and Trig Functions

The document covers the differentiation of exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions in differential calculus. It provides formulas and proofs for the derivatives of these functions, including specific rules for e^x, log_a(x), and trigonometric functions such as sin(x) and cos(x). Additionally, it discusses the application of the chain rule and implicit differentiation in finding derivatives.

Uploaded by

m83119041
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 8

MAT 121:DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

DIFFERENTIATION OF EXPONENTIAL, LOGARITHMIC


AND TRIG FUNCTIONS

November 25, 2024 1/8


Derivatives of exponential functions

Exponential Functions: If f (x) = ax then


f ′ (x) = f ′ (0) · ax = ln a · ax

Proof:
Using the definition of derivative we have:
f (x + h) − f (x)
f ′ (x) = lim
h→0 h

ax+h − ax
= lim
h→0 h

ax ah − ax
= lim
h→0 h

(ah − 1)
= ax lim
h→0 h

= f ′ (0) · ax

Later we will see that f ′ (0) = ln a by using the Chain Rule.

November 25, 2024 2/8


Derivatives of exponential functions

Recall from a previous lecture that the motivation for the definition of e ≈ 2.771828 · · · stems
from the fact that the slope of the tangent line of e x at x = 0 is equal to 1. That is:

Slope of e x at x = 0
If f (x) = e x , then f ′ (0) = 1.

This gives a very nice derivative rule for e x !

Derivative of e x Rule: (e x )′ = e x

In order to differentiate logarithmic functions we need a new technique.


(In particular, implicit differentiation which we cover later).

November 25, 2024 3/8


Derivatives of logarithmic functions

Derivatives of logarithms
1
Logarithmic Functions: If f (x) = loga x, then f ′ (x) = .
x ln a

Proof:
Rather than using the definition of derivative as before (it gets complicated if you do), we
will use implicit differentiation along with other derivative rules that we previously proved.
Let y = loga x so that
ay = x.

Then differentiating implicitly and using the derivative of an exponential formula, we have:
dy
ay (ln a) = 1.
dx

dy
Solving for dx
gives:

dy 1
=
dx ay ln a
1
=
x ln a

November 25, 2024 4/8


Derivatives of logarithmic functions

Derivative of the natural logarithm


If a = ein the previous formula then we get:
d 1
(ln x) =
dx x
We can also combine these formulas with chain rule to get more general formulas:
d f ′ (x) d f ′ (x)
(loga f (x)) = and (ln f (x)) =
dx f (x) ln a dx f (x)

Example
Find the derivative of y = ln(cos x).

Solution: Taking the derivative using the chain rule gives:


dy − sin x
=
dx cos x

= − tan x

November 25, 2024 5/8


Derivatives of logarithmic functions

Example
Use the chain rule and definition of absolute value to prove:
d 1 d f ′ (x)
ln |x| = and ln |f (x)| = .
dx x dx f (x)

Solution: Let f (x) = ln |x|, then by definition of absolute value,



ln x if x > 0,
f (x) =
ln(−x) if x < 0.

Thus, the derivative is:


1


 if x > 0,
x




f ′ (x) = 1 1

 (−1) = if x < 0.
 −x x


1
Therefore, f ′ (x) = x
for all x ̸= 0.
The second formula is a direct application of the chain rule.

November 25, 2024 6/8


Derivatives of trigonometric functions

Sine Function: (sin x)′ = cos x


Proof:
Let f (x) = sin x. Using the definition of derivative we have:
f (x + h) − f (x)
f ′ (x) = lim
h→0 h

sin(x + h) − sin x
= lim
h→0 h

[sin x cos h + cos x sin h] − sin x


= lim
h→0 h

[sin x cos h − sin x] + [cos x sin h]


= lim
h→0 h
cos h − 1 sin h
= lim sin x · lim + lim cos x · lim
h→0 h→0 h h→0 h→0 h

= sin x · 0 + cos x · 1

= cos x
sin x cos x − 1
Recall: lim = 1 and lim =0
x→0 x x→0 x

November 25, 2024 7/8


Derivatives of trigonometric functions

A similar proof works for the cosine function:


d
(cos x) = − sin x.
dx
Using quotient rule we get formulas for the other trigonometric ratios.

Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions


d d
(sin x) = cos x (csc x) = − csc x cot x
dx dx
d d
(cos x) = − sin x (sec x) = sec x tan x
dx dx
d d
(tan x) = sec2 x (cot x) = − csc2 x
dx dx

November 25, 2024 8/8

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