Calculating Second Order Derivative of w at t=1

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the second order derivative of the function \( w = \ln(x+y) \) with respect to \( t \), where \( x = e^t \) and \( y = e^{-t} \). Participants are attempting to determine the value of this derivative at \( t=1 \) and are comparing their results with a provided answer from a textbook.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion over their calculations and seeks help, noting a discrepancy between their answer and the textbook's answer.
  • Another participant suggests calculating the difference between two expressions to clarify the issue.
  • A participant explains the application of the chain rule and product rule for finding the second derivative, providing a detailed formula for the calculation.
  • There is a reiteration of the original problem statement by a participant, emphasizing their confusion and the need for assistance.
  • One participant mentions obtaining a result of \( 2e^{-2t} \) and questions its implications.
  • Another participant expresses confusion about the calculations and whether their approach aligns with the suggestions given by others.
  • A participant reflects on their understanding of the derivative of \( \tanh(t) \) and questions the correctness of their earlier steps.
  • There is a realization by one participant that they made a mistake in their derivative calculation, specifically in the power of \( \tanh(t) \), which led to discrepancies in their results.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying degrees of understanding and confusion regarding the calculations. There is no clear consensus on the correct approach or final answer, as multiple interpretations and methods are presented.

Contextual Notes

Some participants' calculations depend on the application of the chain rule and product rule, and there are unresolved steps in the derivation process. The discussion reflects differing interpretations of the derivative results, particularly concerning the function \( \tanh(t) \).

Yankel
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Hello all,

I need to find the second order derivative of w by t, and to calculate it's value at t=1.

This is what I know about w, x and y.

\[w=ln(x+y)\]

\[x=e^{t}\]

\[y=e^{-t}\]The answer in the book is:

\[\frac{4}{(e^{t}+e^{-t})^{2}}\]

I got another answer and I don't know what I did wrong, my solution is attached as an image.

View attachment 1997

Would appreciate your help with it. Thank you.

P.S According to Maple I am correct
 

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Your calculations are all the way through OK. It is just the very end of your equations, that needs a lift:

Try to calculate the difference:

\[(e^t+e^{-t})^2-(e^t-e^{-t})^2\]

what do you get?
 
Last edited:
Start with a function $f(x,y)$. Substitute two functions $x=g(t)$ and $y=h(t)$ to get the composite function $F(t) = f(g(t),h(t))$. The chain rule says that,
$$ \frac{dF}{dt} = \frac{\partial f}{\partial x}\frac{dx}{dt} + \frac{\partial f}{\partial y}\frac{dy}{dt} $$
Now when you compute the second derivative you use the product rule, so,
$$ \frac{d^2 F}{dt^2} = \frac{d}{dt} \left( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x} \right) \frac{dx}{dt} + \frac{\partial f}{\partial x}\frac{d^2 x}{dt^2} + \frac{d}{dt} \left( \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} \right) \frac{dy}{dt} + \frac{\partial f}{\partial y}\frac{d^2y}{dt^2} $$
To make things easier to follow let $A = \frac{\partial f}{\partial x}$, so,
$$ \frac{d}{dt}\left( \frac{\partial f}{\partial x}\right) = \frac{dA}{dt} = \frac{\partial A}{\partial x} \frac{dx}{dt} + \frac{\partial A}{\partial y} \frac{dy}{dt} = f_{xx} \frac{dx}{dt} + f_{xy}\frac{dy}{dt} $$
In a similar way if we have,
$$ \frac{d}{dt}\left( \frac{\partial f}{\partial y} \right) = f_{yx}\frac{dx}{dt} + f_{yy} \frac{dy}{dt} $$
Therefore our 2nd derivative formula is,
$$ \frac{d^2F}{dt} = (f_{xx} x' + f_{xy}y')x' + f_x \cdot x'' + (f_{yx}x' + f_{yy}y')y' + f_y \cdot y'' $$
This simplifies to, (recall that $f_{xy} = f_{yx}$),
$$ \frac{d^2 F}{dt} = f_{xx} (x')^2 + 2f_{xy}x'y' + f_{yy}(y')^2 + f_x\cdot x'' + f_y\cdot y'' $$
Now if you substitute your functions you will get your answer.
 
Yankel said:
Hello all,

I need to find the second order derivative of w by t, and to calculate it's value at t=1.

This is what I know about w, x and y.

\[w=ln(x+y)\]

\[x=e^{t}\]

\[y=e^{-t}\]The answer in the book is:

\[\frac{4}{(e^{t}+e^{-t})^{2}}\]

I got another answer and I don't know what I did wrong, my solution is attached as an image.

View attachment 1997

Would appreciate your help with it. Thank you.

P.S According to Maple I am correct

The derivative of $x+y$ is $e^t-e^{-t}$. Using the chain rule therefore, the derivative of w is $e^t-e^{-t}$ multiplied by $\frac{1}{x+y}$ which is equal to $\frac{e^t-e^{-t}}{e^t+e^{-t}}$ Then use quotient rule. x and y are just labels- easier to bypass them
 
lfdahl,

what I get is: 2e^(-2t) where does it lead me ?

ThePerfectHacker, honestly, you lost me :confused:

and Boromir, isn't what I did identical to what you suggest ?

guys, I am quite confused, did I get it wrong or right ? I can't see what I did wrong here.
 
Yankel said:
lfdahl,

what I get is: 2e^(-2t) where does it lead me ?

ThePerfectHacker, honestly, you lost me :confused:

and Boromir, isn't what I did identical to what you suggest ?

guys, I am quite confused, did I get it wrong or right ? I can't see what I did wrong here.

\[(e^t+e^{-t})^2-(e^t-e^{-t})^2 = (x+y)^2-(x-y)^2 = x^2+y^2+2xy-(x^2+y^2-2xy)\]

Can you continue?
 
Right, I get 4, I see what you mean. But I can't see where my last move was incorrect. Can it be that both expressions are equal ?

Look at it more simply, if my first derivative is tanh(t), doesn't it mean that it's derivative should be 1-tanh(t) ? Even without calculating all the way ?
 
I would expect:

tanh'(t) = 1 - tanh2(t)

- and this is also the result you get.
 
Thanks, you were very helpful, and I found my mistake thanks to you.

It is 1-tanh(t)^2 and I wrote 1-tanh(t) without the power, that's why Maple told me the expressions are not identical...
 

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