Derivative and integral of e^anything

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SUMMARY

The integral and derivative of e^x are e^x itself, but this only holds true when the exponent is a simple linear function of x. For more complex functions, such as e^(ln(2)*x), the chain rule must be applied. The derivative of e^(f(x)) is e^(f(x)) * f'(x), while integration does not have straightforward rules for all functions. For example, the integral of e^(x^2) cannot be expressed in terms of elementary functions and is represented using the error function, Erf(x).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic calculus concepts, including derivatives and integrals.
  • Familiarity with the chain rule in differentiation.
  • Knowledge of the error function, Erf(x), and its applications.
  • Basic algebraic manipulation skills for handling exponential functions.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the chain rule in differentiation of composite functions.
  • Learn about the properties and applications of the error function, Erf(x).
  • Explore advanced integration techniques, including integration by substitution and integration of non-elementary functions.
  • Practice differentiating and integrating various exponential functions to solidify understanding.
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Students and professionals in mathematics, particularly those studying calculus, as well as educators teaching these concepts. This discussion is beneficial for anyone seeking to clarify the differentiation and integration of exponential functions.

stargazer843
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the integral and derivative of e^x is e^x itself.

I was told that the derivative and integral of e to the ANYTHING power is e to that something power, meaning that:

∫(e^(6x+4x²+5y³))dx is e^(6x+4x²+5y³)

and

d/dx(e^(6x+4x²+5y³)) is e^(6x+4x²+5y³)

However I recently saw an equation in which ∫(e^(ln(2)*x))dx equalled (1/ln(x))*e^(ln(2)*x)

I do not understand what this is…. They said that this had something to do with the reverse chain rule, but this confused me even more…

If the exponent is seen as an "inside part of the function", then

d/dx(x^y)

would = (d/dx)*y*x^(y-1)

instead of just y*x^(y-1)

I'm very confused whether exponents are "inside functions" or not and why ∫(e^(ln(2)*x))dx did not equal e^(ln(2)*x)

Did I learn the wrong information? What am I not understanding? Please help D=
 
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The "ANYTHING" you referred to only includes constants (so it's not really anything). If you have e to the some function of x, you need the chain rule for differentiation.
 
so x is constant, but ln(2)*x is not?

how do I differentiate between those two situations?

would 6x+4x²+5y³ be constant or a function of x?
 
Sorry, I was somehow a bit confused. The only function that equals to its derivative is e^x. You have to use the chain rule for other cases.
 
ohhhh. so derivative of e^2x would be 2*e^2x?

and integral of e^2x would be (e^2x)/2?
 
Yupp :)
 
so how would you integrate ex^2?
:wink:
 
Last edited:
By the chain rule, the derivative of e^{f(x)}
is e^{f(x)}f'(x)
so that, for example,the derivative of e^{2x} is e^{2x} times the derivative of 2x which is 2- the derivative of e^{2x} is 2e^{2x}. The derivative of e^{x^2} is e^{x^2} times the derivative of x^2 which is 2x. The derivative of e^{x^2} is 2xe^{x^2}.

However, since the integral is defined "inversely" (the integral of f(x) is the function whose derivative is f(x)), there are no general "rules" for integration and most elementary functions cannot be integrated in terms of elementary functions. In particular, while e^{x^2} is continuous and so has an integral, it cannot be written in terms of elementary functions.

It can be written in terms of the "error function", Erf(x). To integrate e^{x^2}, let x= iy so that dx= i dy amd x^2= -y^2. Then
\int e^{x^2}dx= \int e^{-y^2}i dy= i\int e^{-y^2}dy= iErf(y)= i Erf(-ix)
where "Erf(x)" is defined as the integral of e^{-x^2}.
 
This rule also applies to exponents of X or Y right, not just e?

so the derivative of x^(x²) would be 2x*(x²)*x^(x²-1)?
 
  • #10
stargazer843 said:
This rule also applies to exponents of X or Y right, not just e?

so the derivative of x^(x²) would be 2x*(x²)*x^(x²-1)?

To solve that one, let y = xx2 so that ln(y) = x2ln(x).
Differentiating both sides yields y'/y = x2/x + 2xln(x) = x + 2xln(x), where y' = dy/dx. Then y' = xx2(x + (2x)ln(x)).
 

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