Calculating derivatives for various functions

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In summary: Great! Thank you! (Star)In summary, the conversation was about finding derivatives of different functions, including exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. The formulas for the derivatives were provided and discussed, with special attention given to edge cases such as $x=0$. Ultimately, it was concluded that the formulas hold for $x>0$.
  • #1
mathmari
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Hey! :giggle:

I want to calculate the derivatives of the below functions.

1. $\displaystyle{f(x)=x^n\cdot a^x}$, $\in \mathbb{N}_0, x\in \mathbb{R},a>0$
2. $\displaystyle{f(x)=\log \left [\sqrt{1+\cos^2(x)}\right ]}$,$x\in \mathbb{R}$
3. $\displaystyle{f(x)=\sqrt{e^{\sin \sqrt{x}}}}$, $x>0$
4. $\displaystyle{f(x)=x^p}$, $x>0, p\in \mathbb{R}$
5. $\displaystyle{f(x)=\left (1-\sqrt{2}\sin \left (\frac{x}{2}\right )\right )\cdot \sqrt{1+\tan^2(x)}\cdot \left (1+\sqrt{2}\sin \left (\frac{x}{2}\right )\right )}$, $x\in \left (-\frac{\pi}{2},\frac{\pi}{2}\right )$I have done the following:

Function 1:
The derivative is \begin{equation*}f'(x)=\left (x^n\cdot a^x\right )'=\left (x^n\right )'\cdot a^x+x^n\cdot\left ( a^x\right )'=nx^{n-1}\cdot a^x+x^n\cdot a^x\log a\end{equation*}Function 2:
The derivative is \begin{align*}f'(x)&=\left (\log \left [\sqrt{1+\cos^2(x)}\right ]\right )'=\frac{1}{\sqrt{1+\cos^2(x)}}\cdot \left (\sqrt{1+\cos^2(x)}\right )' \\ & =\frac{1}{\sqrt{1+\cos^2(x)}}\cdot \frac{1}{2\sqrt{1+\cos^2(x)}}\cdot \left (1+\cos^2(x)\right )' =\frac{1}{\sqrt{1+\cos^2(x)}}\cdot \frac{1}{2\sqrt{1+\cos^2(x)}}\cdot 2\cos(x)\cdot \left (\cos (x)\right )' \\ &=\frac{1}{\sqrt{1+\cos^2(x)}}\cdot \frac{1}{2\sqrt{1+\cos^2(x)}}\cdot 2\cos(x)\cdot \left (-\sin (x)\right )=-\frac{\cos (x)\cdot \sin (x)}{1+\cos^2(x)}\end{align*}Function 3:
The derivative is \begin{align*}f'(x)&=\left (\sqrt{e^{\sin \sqrt{x}}}\right )'=\frac{1}{2\sqrt{e^{\sin \sqrt{x}}}}\cdot \left (e^{\sin \sqrt{x}}\right )'=\frac{1}{2\sqrt{e^{\sin \sqrt{x}}}}\cdot e^{\sin \sqrt{x}}\cdot \left (\sin \sqrt{x}\right )'=\frac{1}{2\sqrt{e^{\sin \sqrt{x}}}}\cdot e^{\sin \sqrt{x}}\cdot \cos \sqrt{x} \cdot \left ( \sqrt{x}\right )' \\ & =\frac{1}{2\sqrt{e^{\sin \sqrt{x}}}}\cdot e^{\sin \sqrt{x}}\cdot \cos \sqrt{x} \cdot \frac{1}{2 \sqrt{x}}=\frac{e^{\sin \sqrt{x}}\cdot \cos \sqrt{x}}{4\sqrt{x}\cdot \sqrt{e^{\sin \sqrt{x}}}}=\frac{\left (\sqrt{e^{\sin \sqrt{x}}}\right )^2\cdot \cos \sqrt{x}}{4\sqrt{x}\cdot \sqrt{e^{\sin \sqrt{x}}}}=\frac{\sqrt{e^{\sin \sqrt{x}}}\cdot \cos \sqrt{x}}{4\sqrt{x}} \end{align*}Function 4:
The derivative is \begin{equation*}f'(x)=\left (x^p\right )'=px^{p-1}\end{equation*}Function 5:
The function is equal to \begin{align*}f(x)&=\left (1-\sqrt{2}\sin \left (\frac{x}{2}\right )\right )\cdot \sqrt{1+\tan^2(x)}\cdot \left (1+\sqrt{2}\sin \left (\frac{x}{2}\right )\right )\\ & =\left (1-\sqrt{2}\sin \left (\frac{x}{2}\right )\right )\cdot \left (1+\sqrt{2}\sin \left (\frac{x}{2}\right )\right )\cdot \sqrt{1+\tan^2(x)}\\ & =\left (1^2-\left (\sqrt{2}\sin \left (\frac{x}{2}\right )\right )^2\right )\cdot \sqrt{1+\tan^2(x)}\\ & =\cos (x)\cdot \sqrt{1+\tan^2(x)}\\ & =\cos (x)\cdot \sqrt{1+\frac{\sin^2}{\cos^2}}\\ & =\cos (x)\cdot \sqrt{\frac{\cos^2(x)+\sin^2}{\cos^2}}\\ & =\cos (x)\cdot \sqrt{\frac{1}{\cos^2(x)}}\\ & =\cos (x)\cdot \frac{1}{\cos(x)}\\ & =1\end{align*}
So the derivative is \begin{equation*}f'(x)=\left (1\right )'=0 \end{equation*}
At function 4 it doesn't matter if $p$ is a natural number or a real number, it always like that the derivative, isn't it? For example if $p=\frac{1}{2}$ that formula holds.

:unsure:
 
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  • #2
mathmari said:
At function 4 it doesn't matter if $p$ is a natural number or a real number, it always like that the derivative, isn't it? For example if $p=\frac{1}{2}$ that formula holds.
Hey mathmari!

What if $p=0$ or $p=1$? 🤔

The other derivatives look correct to me. (Nod)
 
  • #3
Klaas van Aarsen said:
What if $p=0$ or $p=1$? 🤔

If $p=0$ then $f(x)=x^0=1$ and $f'(x)=0$. Using the formula $f'(x)=px^{p-1}$ we have $f'(x)=0\cdot x^{0-1}=0$.
If $p=1$ then $f(x)=x^1=x$ and $f'(x)=1$. Using the formula $f'(x)=px^{p-1}$ we have $f'(x)=1\cdot x^{1-1}=x^0=1$.

:unsure:
 
  • #4
mathmari said:
If $p=0$ then $f(x)=x^0=1$ and $f'(x)=0$. Using the formula $f'(x)=px^{p-1}$ we have $f'(x)=0\cdot x^{0-1}=0$.
If $p=1$ then $f(x)=x^1=x$ and $f'(x)=1$. Using the formula $f'(x)=px^{p-1}$ we have $f'(x)=1\cdot x^{1-1}=x^0=1$.
These are 'special' at $x=0$. Note that $0\cdot x^{0-1}$ is not defined for $x=0$, but we do have that $(1)'=0$.
Additionally we run into $0^0$, which could be $0$, $1$, undefined, or something else.
So I think we should specify the behavior at $0$. 🤔

EDIT: Oh wait. (Wait)
I see now that it is given that $x>0$, in which case these edge cases do not apply.
 
Last edited:
  • #5
Klaas van Aarsen said:
These are 'special' at $x=0$. Note that $0\cdot x^{0-1}$ is not defined for $x=0$, but we do have that $f'(0)=0$.
Additionally we run into $0^0$, which could be $0$, $1$, undefined, or something else.
So I think we should specify the behavior at $0$. 🤔

EDIT: Oh wait. (Wait)
I see now that it is given that $x>0$, in which case these edge cases do not apply.

So for $x>0$ the formula I wrote holds, or not? :unsure:
 
  • #6
mathmari said:
So for $x>0$ the formula I wrote holds, or not?
Yep. (Nod)
 
  • #7
Klaas van Aarsen said:
Yep. (Nod)

Great! Thank you! (Star)
 

What is a derivative?

A derivative is a mathematical concept that represents the rate of change of a function at a specific point. It is the slope of the tangent line to the function at that point.

Why do we need to calculate derivatives?

Calculating derivatives allows us to analyze and understand the behavior of a function. It helps us determine the rate of change and the direction of change at a specific point, which is useful in many real-world applications.

How do you calculate derivatives?

The most common method for calculating derivatives is using the power rule, which states that the derivative of a function is equal to the coefficient of the variable multiplied by the exponent of the variable, and the exponent is then reduced by 1. There are also other rules and techniques, such as the product rule and chain rule, for calculating derivatives of more complex functions.

What is the difference between a derivative and an antiderivative?

A derivative is the rate of change of a function, while an antiderivative is the inverse operation of differentiation. In other words, an antiderivative is a function that, when differentiated, gives the original function.

What are some real-world applications of derivatives?

Derivatives are used in many fields, including physics, economics, engineering, and statistics. They can be used to model and predict the behavior of systems, optimize functions, and solve various problems related to rates of change.

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