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3.9: Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions: Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota

This document discusses the derivation of the derivatives of exponential and logarithmic functions. It shows that the derivative of ex is ex itself. It then uses the chain rule to derive the derivatives of ax, ln(x), and loga(x) as a ln a, 1/x, and 1/(u ln a), respectively. The key steps taken are: assuming the slope of ex at x=0 is 1, incorporating the chain rule, and relating logarithmic and exponential functions as inverses of each other.

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Hector Vergara
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56 views11 pages

3.9: Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions: Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota

This document discusses the derivation of the derivatives of exponential and logarithmic functions. It shows that the derivative of ex is ex itself. It then uses the chain rule to derive the derivatives of ax, ln(x), and loga(x) as a ln a, 1/x, and 1/(u ln a), respectively. The key steps taken are: assuming the slope of ex at x=0 is 1, incorporating the chain rule, and relating logarithmic and exponential functions as inverses of each other.

Uploaded by

Hector Vergara
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Mt.

Rushmore, South Dakota

3.9: Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions


Photo by Vickie Kelly, 2007

Greg Kelly, Hanford High School, Richland, Washington

Look at the graph of

The slope at x=0


appears to be 1.

ye

If we assume this to
be true, then:

lim
h 0

0 h

e
1
h
0

definition of derivative

Now we attempt to find a general formula for the


x
derivative of y e using the definition.

d x
e xh e x
e lim
h 0
dx
h

e x eh e x
lim
h 0
h

h
e
1
x
lim e

h 0
h

e
1
x
e lim

h 0
h

This is the slope at x=0,


which we have assumed to
be 1.

e x 1

ex

d x
x
e e
dx

is its own derivative!

If we incorporate the chain rule:

d u
u du
e e
dx
dx
We can now use this formula to find the derivative of

d x
a
dx

d ln a x
e
dx

d x ln a
e
dx

x ln a

x
e
(

d
x ln a
dx

and

ln x

are inverse functions.)

(chain rule)

d x
a
dx

d ln a x
e
dx

d x ln a
e
dx

x ln a

x ln a

ln a

( lnaax is
a constant.)
ln
a
Incorporating the chain rule:

d
x ln a
dx

d u
du
u
a a ln a
dx
dx

So far today we have:

d u
u du
e e
dx
dx

d
du
u
u
a a ln a
dx
dx

Now it is relatively easy to find the derivative of ln x .

y ln x
e x
y

d y
d
e x
dx
dx

dy
e
1
dx
y

dy 1
y
dx e
d
1
ln x
dx
x
d
1 du
ln u
dx
u dx

To find the derivative of a common log function, you


could just use the change of base rule for logs:

d
d ln x
1 d
1 1
log x

ln x

dx
dx ln10
ln10 dx
ln10 x
The formula for the derivative of a log of any base
other than e is:

d
1 du
log a u
dx
u ln a dx

d u
u du
e e
dx
dx

d
du
u
u
a a ln a
dx
dx

d
1 du
ln u
dx
u dx

d
1 du
log a u
dx
u ln a dx

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