Chain Rule & Trig Functions: Explaining to DeusAbs

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter DeusAbscondus
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Ln
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the application of the chain rule in calculus, specifically regarding the differentiation of logarithmic and trigonometric functions. The user DeusAbs illustrates the differentiation of \(y=\ln(\sin(x))\) resulting in \(y'=\cot(x)\) and seeks clarification on the treatment of \(\sin(x)\) in the denominator. The conversation also explores a more complex example, \(f(x)=\ln(\cos(x^2))\), leading to \(f'(x)=-2x\tan(x^2)\). Participants emphasize the importance of clear notation and step-by-step work in calculus.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic calculus concepts, particularly differentiation.
  • Familiarity with the chain rule in calculus.
  • Knowledge of trigonometric functions and their derivatives.
  • Ability to manipulate logarithmic expressions and apply logarithmic differentiation.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the chain rule with composite functions in calculus.
  • Learn about logarithmic differentiation techniques for complex functions.
  • Explore the derivatives of trigonometric functions and their applications in calculus.
  • Investigate Leibniz notation for derivatives and its advantages over Newton's notation.
USEFUL FOR

Students and educators in mathematics, particularly those studying calculus, as well as anyone looking to deepen their understanding of differentiation techniques involving logarithmic and trigonometric functions.

DeusAbscondus
Messages
176
Reaction score
0
this time it relates to the chain rule and trig functions.

for example:
$$y=ln(sinx)\Rightarrow y'=cot(x)$$ via the chain rule, including the following steps
$$\frac{d}{dx}ln(sinx)$$
$$=cos(x).\frac{1}{sin(x)}$$
$$=\frac{cos(x)}{sin(x)}$$
$=cot(x)$
but I would have expected that, following the chain rule, an operation was required on the $sin(x)$, but it just gets shunted down into the denominator along with $x$ Could someone kindly explain to me why?

I mean I understand this expression: $$y=ln(x)\Rightarrow y'=\frac {1}{x}$$
but how does the sine function make it down into the denominator holus-bolus in my example above?

I'm sorry for the awkwardness of expression.
Can anyone see the difficulty I am having with this?

Thanks,
DeusAbs
 
Physics news on Phys.org
DeusAbscondus said:
this time it relates to the chain rule and trig functions.

for example:
$$y=ln(sinx)\Rightarrow y'=cot(x)$$ via the chain rule, including the following steps
$$\frac{d}{dx}ln(sinx)$$
$$=cos(x).\frac{1}{sin(x)}$$
$$=\frac{cos(x)}{sin(x)}$$
$=cot(x)$
but I would have expected that, following the chain rule, an operation was required on the $sin(x)$, but it just gets shunted down into the denominator along with $x$ Could someone kindly explain to me why?

I mean I understand this expression: $$y=ln(x)\Rightarrow y'=\frac {1}{x}$$
but how does the sine function make it down into the denominator holus-bolus in my example above?

I'm sorry for the awkwardness of expression.
Can anyone see the difficulty I am having with this?

Thanks,
DeusAbs

Put \(u=\sin(x)\), so \(y=\ln(u)\), then:

\[\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{dy}{du}\;\frac{du}{dx}=\left( \frac{1}{u} \right) \left( \cos(x) \right) =\frac{\cos(x)}{\sin(x)}\]

CB
 
and triple application of rule

Thanks Cap'n.

I think I'm on a roll: following on from what you and SuperSonic and others have shared about setting out my work, I'm going to try applying the chain rule triply, to the following:
$f(x)=ln(cos(x^2))\Rightarrow f'(x)=-2xtan(x^2)$
with the working out thus: (please comment if I can omit, add anything to or change anything about the way I set this out):
$Let$
$u=x^2$
$v=cos(u)$
$y=ln(v)$
and
$u'=2x$
$v'=-sin(x^2)$
$y'=\frac{1}{cos(x^2)}$
$\therefore f'(x)=u'.v'.y'=\frac{-2x.sin(x^2}{cos(x^2)}=-2xtan(x^2)$

Thanks for the great help,
DeusAbs
 
Last edited:
Re: and triple application of rule

DeusAbscondus said:
Thanks Cap'n.

I think I'm on a roll: following on from what you and SuperSonic and others have shared about setting out my work, I'm going to try applying the chain rule triply, to the following:
$f(x)=ln(cos(x^2))\Rightarrow f'(x)=-2xtan(x^2)$
with the working out thus: (please comment if I can omit, add anything to or change anything about the way I set this out):
$Let$
$u=x^2$
$v=cos(u)$
$y=ln(v)$
and
$u'=2x$
$v'=-sin(x^2)$
$y'=\frac{1}{cos(x^2)}$
$\therefore f'(x)=u'.v'.y'=\frac{-2x.sin(x^2}{cos(x^2)}=-2xtan(x^2)$

Thanks for the great help,
DeusAbs

Nothing wrong there :)
 
Re: and triple application of rule

SuperSonic4 said:
Nothing wrong there :)

Ah, well that'd be because I try to model myself on you, Super.
D'abs
 
Re: and triple application of rule

DeusAbscondus said:
Thanks Cap'n.

I think I'm on a roll: following on from what you and SuperSonic and others have shared about setting out my work, I'm going to try applying the chain rule triply, to the following:
$f(x)=ln(cos(x^2))\Rightarrow f'(x)=-2xtan(x^2)$
with the working out thus: (please comment if I can omit, add anything to or change anything about the way I set this out):
$Let$
$u=x^2$
$v=cos(u)$
$y=ln(v)$
and
$u'=2x$
$v'=-sin(x^2)$
$y'=\frac{1}{cos(x^2)}$
$\therefore f'(x)=u'.v'.y'=\frac{-2x.sin(x^2}{cos(x^2)}=-2xtan(x^2)$

Thanks for the great help,
DeusAbs
I think you would be better off with Liebniz' notation rather that Newton's Fluxion like notation.

Then:

\[\frac{d}{dx}f(x)=\frac{df}{dv}\frac{dv}{du}\frac{du}{dx}\]

which is much more suggestive of what is going on.

CB
 
Last edited:
Re: and triple application of rule

CaptainBlack said:
I think you would be better off with Liebniz' notation rather that Newton's Fluxion notation.

Then:

\[\frac{d}{dx}f(x)=\frac{df}{dv}\frac{dv}{du}\frac{du}{dx}\]

which is much more suggestive of what is going on.

CB

Thanks Cap'n; I'll look it up and look into it. "Fluxion" sure sounds alchemical. If I could find a way of doing Calculus sans any mystical overtones, so much the better for a proudly upright atheist and scientific materialist.
D'abs
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K