Differentiating 2^x: How to Solve This Equation

In summary, the conversation discussed the differentiation of the function y = 2^x + x - 4 and the correct method for finding its derivative. Two methods were suggested, rewriting 2^x and using the chain rule, and taking the natural log and then differentiating. The conversation then moved on to a different question unrelated to the original topic, and the concept of Newton's method was introduced as a way to solve equations that cannot be solved algebraically.
  • #1
mr bob
38
0
Just came across a question today with 2^x and realized i didnt know how to differentiate it. The entire function i had to differentiate was
\(\displaystyle y = 2^x + x -4\(\displaystyle

I tried taking logs but couldn't get anywhere near the true answer.

What is the correct method for this?

Thank's alot!\)\)
 
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  • #2
Rewrite [itex]2^{x}=e^{xlog(2)}[/itex] and use the chain rule on your right-hand side in order to find an expression for [itex]\frac{d}{dx}2^{x}[/itex]
 
  • #3
Do you know the rule for the derivative of an expression [tex] a^x [/tex]?
 
  • #4
mr bob said:
Just came across a question today with 2^x and realized i didnt know how to differentiate it. The entire function i had to differentiate was
\(\displaystyle y = 2^x + x -4\(\displaystyle

I tried taking logs but couldn't get anywhere near the true answer.

What is the correct method for this?

Thank's alot!\)\)
\(\displaystyle \(\displaystyle

y = a^u

y' = lna * a^u * u'

y = 2^x y' = ln2 * 2^x * 1
derivative of (x-4) is 1

so the answer is y' = 2^x * ln2 + 1\)\)
 
  • #5
physicscrap said:
y = a^u

y' = lna * a^u * u'

y = 2^x y' = ln2 * 2^x * 1
derivative of (x-4) is 1

so the answer is y' = 2^x * ln2 + 1
DO NOT EVER POST COMPLETE SOLUTION. THE OP NEEDS TO GIVE IT A TRY HIMSELF!:grumpy: :grumpy: :grumpy: :grumpy: :grumpy:
--------------------
mr bob, just try what arildno suggested you.
[tex]2^{x}=e^{xlog(2)}[/tex]
Now differentiate both sides with respect to x, we have:
[tex](2^{x})'=(e^{xlog(2)})' = ?[/tex]
--------------------
Or one can try another way:
Let:
[tex]y = 2 ^ x[/tex]
Take log of both sides:
[tex]\ln y = \ln (2 ^ x) = x \ln 2[/tex]
Now differentiate both sides wth respect to x gives:
[tex](\ln y)' = (x \ln 2)'[/tex]
[tex]\Leftrightarrow \frac{y'_x}{y} = \ln 2[/tex]
[tex]\Leftrightarrow y'_x = y \ln 2 = 2 ^ x \star ln 2[/tex]
Now let's try the first way to see if you arrive at the same answer.
From there, can you solve your problem? :)
 
  • #6
that is wrong!

physicscrap said:
y = a^u

y' = lna * a^u * u'

y = 2^x y' = ln2 * 2^x * 1
derivative of (x-4) is 1

so the answer is y' = 2^x * ln2 + 1
sorry to say so but you see the obvious right there!
please correct. thanks
 
  • #7
WARGREYMONKKTL said:
sorry to say so but you see the obvious right there!
please correct. thanks


What are you talking about? I can't see anything wrong with that...
 
  • #8
sorry because i don't understand the term "+1" in the result y'
please explain .
 
  • #9
WARGREYMONKKTL said:
sorry because i don't understand the term "+1" in the result y'
please explain .

Did you look at the original post? Look at the funtion that we are trying to differentiate here and maybe you'll figure it out.
 
  • #10
ok i agree with you!
sorry aabout that.
i want to ask a question if you can solve?
y= ksin2x.tan3x all over 3cos4x with x is an accute angle and k is a constant.
can you have the general derivative and the value of that function at the point which is the inteception of y with y =-x and the value of k is 1:)
this is not a challenge but a hard question to ask you.
this is my apology
see ya!
 
  • #11
WARGREYMONKKTL said:
ok i agree with you!
sorry aabout that.
i want to ask a question if you can solve?
y= ksin2x.tan3x all over 3cos4x with x is an accute angle and k is a constant.
can you have the general derivative and the value of that function at the point which is the inteception of y with y =-x and the value of k is 1:)
this is not a challenge but a hard question to ask you.
this is my apology
see ya!

I'm sorry, but I can't make heads or tails of what you just said, I get the part where you say what the function is but what is that about a general derivative and a point which is an intersection of something?
 
  • #12
WARGREYMONKKTL said:
ok i agree with you!
sorry aabout that.
i want to ask a question if you can solve?
y= ksin2x.tan3x all over 3cos4x with x is an accute angle and k is a constant.
can you have the general derivative and the value of that function at the point which is the inteception of y with y =-x and the value of k is 1:)
this is not a challenge but a hard question to ask you.
this is my apology
see ya!

First, it's a really bad idea to "hijack" someone elses thread to ask your onw question- start your own thread. Second, even without using LaTex you ought to be able to write that more clearly. I think you mean
y= ksin(2x)tan(3x)/(3cos(4x)).

If you know anything at all about calculus you should see that neither k nor the fact that "x is an acute angle" are relevant. Yes, it certainly has a "general derivative"- its tedious but just apply the product, quotient, and chain rules.

As for solving x= sin(2x)tan(3x)/(3cos(4x)), that's much harder. In general equations like that cannot be solved algebraically. I would recommend using Newton's method to get a numerical solution.
 
  • #13
i am sorry.
let take my apology.
actually i just plan to play with you.
i am a jounor in high school.
i don't want this will be a mathematical fight between us.
please forgive me for that.
can you give me the result for the Newton's method. i really don't know about that method.
thanks!
 
  • #14
WARGREYMONKKTL said:
i am sorry.
let take my apology.
actually i just plan to play with you.
i am a jounor in high school.
i don't want this will be a mathematical fight between us.
please forgive me for that.
can you give me the result for the Newton's method. i really don't know about that method.
thanks!
Here's an article on Newton's method.
It state that:
[tex]x_{n + 1} = x_n - \frac{f(x_n)}{f'(x_n)}[/tex]
Now the solution to the equation f(x) = 0 is given by:
[tex]x = \lim_{n \rightarrow \infty} x_n[/tex]
There's also an example in the article, just apply it here, and see what you get.
Can you go from here? :)
 

1. What is the equation for differentiating 2^x?

The equation for differentiating 2^x is d/dx(2^x) = 2^x * ln(2).

2. How do you solve for the derivative of 2^x?

To solve for the derivative of 2^x, you first need to apply the power rule, which states that the derivative of x^n is n*x^(n-1). In this case, n is equal to 1, so the derivative becomes 1*2^x = 2^x. Then, you need to multiply the result by the natural logarithm of the base, which in this case is ln(2). So the final equation is d/dx(2^x) = 2^x * ln(2).

3. Can you provide an example of differentiating 2^x?

Sure, let's say we have the function f(x) = 2^x. To find the derivative, we first apply the power rule: f'(x) = 1*2^x = 2^x. Then we multiply the result by ln(2): f'(x) = 2^x * ln(2). So the derivative of f(x) = 2^x is f'(x) = 2^x * ln(2).

4. What is the general formula for differentiating exponential functions?

The general formula for differentiating exponential functions is d/dx(a^x) = a^x * ln(a), where a is the base of the exponential function.

5. How do you differentiate exponential functions with a different base?

To differentiate exponential functions with a different base, you still use the same formula of d/dx(a^x) = a^x * ln(a), but you just need to replace the base with the appropriate value. For example, if you have the function f(x) = 3^x, the derivative would be f'(x) = 3^x * ln(3).

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