Derivative of an exponential function

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Homework Statement


What is the derivative of ex3? also what is the derivative of (ln1/x)2

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


is it 3x2e3x2?
2(ln1/x)(x)?
 
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Your solution for d(e^(x^3))/dx is incorrect. Remember d(e^u)/dx = u'e^u where u is a function of x. For the other derivative, let u = ln(1/x) and then apply the chain rule.
 


No. No.
Both problems require the chain rule.
For the second problem, d/dx((ln(1/x))^2) = 2* ln(1/x) * d/dx(1/x). You made a mistake in your derivative of 1/x.
 
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so the second is 2(ln1/x)(-x^-2)?
and the first one is x^3e^x^3?
 


Right for the second one, but I would write it as 2 ln(1/x) (-1/x^2) or even better as
2 ln(\frac{1}{x}) \frac{-1}{x^2}
Not right for the first. As jgens said, d/dx(e^u) = du/dx * e^u (where u = x^3).
 


Your first derivative is still incorrect. d(e^u)/dx = u'e^u, not ue^u.
Your second derivative is also incorrect. Mark gave you an incorrect expression to differentiate. You need to find 2*ln(x)*d(ln(1/x))/dx which also requires the chain rule.
 


Mark44 said:
Right for the second one, but I would write it as 2 ln(1/x) (-1/x^2) or even better as
2 ln(\frac{1}{x}) \frac{-1}{x^2}

Don't forget d(ln(1/x))/dx, which certainly is not -1/x^2!
 


so its 3x2ex3?
 


Correct.
 
  • #10


d(ln1/x) is x^2?
 
  • #11


No, let u = 1/x then you need to find d(lnu)/dx which will be (1/u)(du/dx).
 
  • #12


Might be easier if you just look at it as:

\frac{d}{dx}\;(-ln(x))

Then it's just straight forwardly obvious.
 
  • #13


That certainly should make it simpler for the original poster!
 
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