Differentiating tanh: Step-by-Step Guide

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around differentiating the hyperbolic tangent function (tanh) and its application in solving specific problems. Participants express varying levels of familiarity with tanh and seek clarification on differentiation techniques, particularly in the context of a given function.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about tanh and requests help with differentiating the function f(x) = 2tanh(x(3/4)^(1/2)), indicating a lack of prior exposure to the topic.
  • Another participant suggests using the definition of tanh as sinh/cosh and mentions the importance of the chain rule in differentiation.
  • A third participant reiterates the differentiation of tanh, noting that it can also be expressed as sech²x, and humorously comments on the complexity of using the chain rule.
  • A different participant questions the initial poster's responsibility for their lack of knowledge about tanh and suggests that they should refer to their textbook for definitions and properties of related functions like sinh and cosh.
  • This participant also provides the definitions of sine, cosine, sinh, and cosh in terms of exponential functions, implying that understanding these could aid in grasping tanh.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the best approach to differentiate tanh, as participants offer different methods and levels of explanation. Some participants focus on definitions and foundational concepts, while others emphasize practical differentiation techniques.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of familiarity with hyperbolic functions and differentiation rules, which may affect their understanding of the discussion. The conversation includes references to foundational mathematical concepts that may not be universally understood by all participants.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students encountering hyperbolic functions for the first time, those seeking clarification on differentiation techniques, and individuals looking for a deeper understanding of the relationships between trigonometric and hyperbolic functions.

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I've been given a couple of problems to do, which I'm unable to because before looking at the question i'd never even HEARD of tanh, which is just... lovely of my lecturer

anyway, i had a look around on some websites & fiddled around with it on my calculator and i now have some idea what its all about... and i do mean some. But unfortunately all i could find was d/dx(tanhx) = 1 - tanh^2x
My problems are rather more complex than the variable sitting by itself... I'd like to have a go at the actual problems myself though, so if someone could work through the one below, which is sort of similar, and explain any rules they use... it should be helpful.

f(x) = 2tanh(x(3/4)^(1/2))
f '(x) = ?

thanks
 
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Use the definition:[tex]\tanh x=:\frac{\sinh x}{\cosh x}[/tex].And of course,the chain rule.

Daniel.
 
... said:
I've been given a couple of problems to do, which I'm unable to because before looking at the question i'd never even HEARD of tanh, which is just... lovely of my lecturer

anyway, i had a look around on some websites & fiddled around with it on my calculator and i now have some idea what its all about... and i do mean some. But unfortunately all i could find was d/dx(tanhx) = 1 - tanh^2x
My problems are rather more complex than the variable sitting by itself... I'd like to have a go at the actual problems myself though, so if someone could work through the one below, which is sort of similar, and explain any rules they use... it should be helpful.

f(x) = 2tanh(x(3/4)^(1/2))
f '(x) = ?

thanks
d/dx(tanhx) = 1 - tanh^2x
Also equivalent to sech^2x, so you could just use that...
f(x) = 2tanh(x(3/4)^(1/2))
f '(x) = ?

When you see something as ugly and unattractive as that, you should immediately say "Oh God, not the chain rule!"
And... I guess that's pretty much all you need to doing this one.
Happy differentiating... integrating is the devil. :devil:
 
do you have a book? does it have an index? is it really your lecturer's fault if you have never heard of tanh?

have you heard of sinh, cosh? if so can you guess the definition of tanh?

to the best of my memory, after 40 years,

sin(x) = (1/2i)[e^(ix) - e^(-ix)], cos(x) = (1/2)(e^(ix)+e^(-ix)]

sinh(x) = (1/2)[e^(x) - e^(-x)], cosh(x) = (1/2)(e^(x)+e^(-x)].

presumaby tanh = sinh/cosh.

compare that with what you can find.
 

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