Derivative using Logarithmic differentation

In summary: Lines 4 and 5 are using the property of logarithms that states ln(ab) = ln(a) + ln(b). We are breaking down the original equation ln y = ln \sqrt{x(x+1)} into two separate logarithms, one for the square root and one for the terms inside the square root. This allows us to simplify the equation further. However, as I pointed out, I made a mistake in line 4 by omitting the 1/2 coefficient. The correct equation should be ln y = \frac{1}{2}ln x + \frac{1}{2}ln(x+1). This mistake carried over to the next line where I also omitted the 1/2 coefficient.
  • #1
TommG
28
0
Need to find derivative using logarithmic differentiation
[itex]y = \sqrt{x(x+1)}[/itex]

My attempt
[itex]ln y = ln \sqrt{x(x+1)}[/itex]

[itex]ln y = \frac{1}{2}ln x(x+1)[/itex]

[itex]ln y = \frac{1}{2}ln x + ln(x+1)[/itex]

[itex]\frac{1}{y}= (\frac{1}{2}) \frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{x+1}[/itex]

[itex]\frac{1}{y}= \frac{1}{2x} + \frac{1}{x+1}[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}= y(\frac{1}{2x} + \frac{1}{x+1})[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}= \sqrt{x(x+1)}(\frac{1}{2x} + \frac{1}{x+1})[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}= \frac{\sqrt{x(x+1)}}{2x} + \frac{\sqrt{x(x+1)}}{x+1}[/itex]

answer in book [itex]\frac{2x+1}{2\sqrt{x(x+1))}} [/itex]
 
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  • #2
TommG said:
Need to find derivative using logarithmic differentiation
[itex]y = \sqrt{x(x+1)}[/itex]

My attempt
[itex]ln y = ln \sqrt{x(x+1)}[/itex]

[itex]ln y = \frac{1}{2}ln x(x+1)[/itex]

[itex]ln y = \frac{1}{2}ln x + ln(x+1)[/itex]

[itex]\frac{1}{y}= (\frac{1}{2}) \frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{x+1}[/itex]

[itex]\frac{1}{y}= \frac{1}{2x} + \frac{1}{x+1}[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}= y(\frac{1}{2x} + \frac{1}{x+1})[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}= \sqrt{x(x+1)}(\frac{1}{2x} + \frac{1}{x+1})[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}= \frac{\sqrt{x(x+1)}}{2x} + \frac{\sqrt{x(x+1)}}{x+1}[/itex]

answer in book [itex]\frac{2x+1}{2\sqrt{x(x+1))}} [/itex]

You skipped a few steps, do it more carefully and you'll see that there were mistakes.
 
  • #3
verty said:
You skipped a few steps, do it more carefully and you'll see that there were mistakes.

I made some corrections

[itex]ln y = ln \sqrt{x(x+1)}[/itex]

[itex]ln y = \frac{1}{2}ln x(x+1)[/itex]

[itex]ln y = \frac{1}{2}ln x + ln(x+1)[/itex]

[itex]\frac{1}{y}= (\frac{1}{2}) \frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{x+1}[/itex]

[itex]\frac{1}{y}= \frac{1}{2x} + \frac{1}{x+1}[/itex]

[itex]\frac{1}{y}= \frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{x+1}[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}= y(\frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{x+1})[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}= y(\frac{x+1+x}{x(x+1)})[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}= y(\frac{2x+1}{x(x+1)})[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}= \sqrt{x(x+1)}(\frac{2x+1}{x(x+1)})[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}= (\frac{\sqrt{x(x+1)}(2x+1)}{x(x+1)})[/itex]

answer in book [itex]\frac{2x+1}{2\sqrt{x(x+1))}} [/itex]
 
  • #4
Can you see that your answer is twice as large as the book's answer? You've lost a factor of 1/2 somewhere.
 
  • #5
$$a\ln(bc)=a\ln(b)+a\ln(c)\neq a\ln(b)+\ln(c)$$

Somewhere in your derivation you made this mistake. Hopefully you can find it.
 
  • #6
TommG said:
I made some corrections

[itex]ln y = ln \sqrt{x(x+1)}[/itex]

[itex]ln y = \frac{1}{2}ln x(x+1)[/itex]

[itex]ln y = \frac{1}{2}ln x + ln(x+1)[/itex]
This is where you made your mistake.
[itex]ln(y)= \frac{1}{2}(ln(x)+ ln(x+ 1))= \frac{1}{2}ln(x)+ \frac{1}{2}ln(x+ 1)[/itex]

[itex]\frac{1}{y}= (\frac{1}{2}) \frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{x+1}[/itex]

[itex]\frac{1}{y}= \frac{1}{2x} + \frac{1}{x+1}[/itex]

[itex]\frac{1}{y}= \frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{x+1}[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}= y(\frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{x+1})[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}= y(\frac{x+1+x}{x(x+1)})[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}= y(\frac{2x+1}{x(x+1)})[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}= \sqrt{x(x+1)}(\frac{2x+1}{x(x+1)})[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}= (\frac{\sqrt{x(x+1)}(2x+1)}{x(x+1)})[/itex]

answer in book [itex]\frac{2x+1}{2\sqrt{x(x+1))}} [/itex]
 
  • #7
TommG said:
Need to find derivative using logarithmic differentiation
[itex]y = \sqrt{x(x+1)}[/itex]

My attempt
[itex]ln y = ln \sqrt{x(x+1)}[/itex]

[itex]ln y = \frac{1}{2}ln x(x+1)[/itex]

[itex]ln y = \frac{1}{2}ln x + ln(x+1)[/itex]

[itex]\frac{1}{y}= (\frac{1}{2}) \frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{x+1}[/itex]

[itex]\frac{1}{y}= \frac{1}{2x} + \frac{1}{x+1}[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}= y(\frac{1}{2x} + \frac{1}{x+1})[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}= \sqrt{x(x+1)}(\frac{1}{2x} + \frac{1}{x+1})[/itex]

[itex]\frac{dy}{dx}= \frac{\sqrt{x(x+1)}}{2x} + \frac{\sqrt{x(x+1)}}{x+1}[/itex]

answer in book [itex]\frac{2x+1}{2\sqrt{x(x+1))}} [/itex]

So, although you have found the mistake that lead to the wrong answer I still have to ask: What is going on on lines 4 and 5?
 

1. What is logarithmic differentiation?

Logarithmic differentiation is a method of calculating the derivative of a function by taking the natural log of both sides of the equation and using the properties of logarithms to simplify the expression. This method is particularly useful for functions that contain products, quotients, or powers.

2. Why is logarithmic differentiation used?

Logarithmic differentiation is used because it allows us to find derivatives of complicated functions that cannot be easily differentiated using traditional methods. It also helps us to avoid using the product, quotient, and chain rules, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors.

3. How do you use logarithmic differentiation to find the derivative?

To use logarithmic differentiation, we first take the natural log of both sides of the equation. Then, we use the properties of logarithms to simplify the expression. Finally, we take the derivative of both sides and solve for the original function's derivative.

4. What are the advantages of using logarithmic differentiation?

One of the main advantages of using logarithmic differentiation is that it allows us to find the derivatives of complicated functions without having to use multiple rules. It also helps us to avoid mistakes and reduces the chances of errors in the calculation process.

5. Are there any limitations to using logarithmic differentiation?

While logarithmic differentiation is a useful method for finding derivatives of complicated functions, it may not always be the most efficient method. In some cases, using traditional differentiation rules such as the product, quotient, and chain rules may be quicker and easier. Additionally, logarithmic differentiation may not be applicable to all functions, such as those with negative values or complex numbers.

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