MHB Derivatives and Inverse Trigonometry

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The discussion revolves around solving derivative problems involving inverse trigonometric functions and applying the chain rule correctly. For question 1a, there was confusion regarding the application of the chain rule, leading to incorrect simplifications. The derivatives for questions 1b and 2 were mostly correct, but there were mistakes in calculating the second derivative, particularly for y'' at specific values. Participants clarified the need for proper application of trigonometric identities and derivatives, ultimately leading to a resolution of the errors. The conversation emphasizes the importance of showing all steps in derivative calculations to identify mistakes effectively.
ardentmed
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Hey guys,

I have a couple of questions about this problem set I've been working on. I'm doubting some of my answers and I'd appreciate some help.

Question:
08b1167bae0c33982682_14.jpg


For 1a, using inverse trigonometric derivative identities should work, right?

I got y' = 1/sinØ + 1/cosØ and multiplied by the common denominator to get.

y' = (cosØ+sinØ)/sinØcosØ

As for 1b, I used the product rule and simplified to get:

y' = 3^x * ln3*ln(3x) + (3^x)/x + 3/x


Also, for 2, I'm a bit confused. I took the derivative and substituted x = $\pi$/2 to get 0 + $\pi$ = $\pi$

So y'($\pi$/2) = $\pi$ Does that look right?

As for the second derivative, I got
y''=16+ 4$\pi$/3

Thanks in advance.
 
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For 1a, you didn't use the chain rule correctly. You did f'(g(x)), but didn't multiply by g'(x).
The next two are correct.
But [math] y''(\frac{\pi}{6}) [/math] is wrong. How did you do it? Can you show steps?
 
jacobi said:
For 1a, you didn't use the chain rule correctly. You did f'(g(x)), but didn't multiply by g'(x).
The next two are correct.
But [math] y''(\frac{\pi}{6}) [/math] is wrong. How did you do it? Can you show steps?
Oh, so there should be a coso and sino in the nominator, right?

In that case, after simplifying, I obtained 1-1=0. Is that correct?

Also, for the last part of question 2, I don't see how I could have gotten it wrong unless f''(x) is wrong. I got f''(x) = 2sec^2(2x) + 2sec^2(2x) + 8xsec(2x)cos(2x)
 
Yes, there should be a cos and sin in the numerator. Your second derivative is wrong, can you show your steps?

The first derivative is $$f'(x) = \tan\left({2x}\right) +2x\sec^2\left({2x}\right) $$
 
After simplifying, you should obtain a constant...but not zero. Could you show all your steps for the inverse trig derivative?
 
Rido12 said:
Yes, there should be a cos and sin in the numerator. Your second derivative is wrong, can you show your steps?

The first derivative is $$f'(x) = \tan\left({2x}\right) +2x\sec^2\left({2x}\right) $$

I did it again and got (48+16√3*$\pi$)/3

I simply took the derivative of tan(2x)+2xsec^2 (2x) and computed:

f''(x) = 2sec^2(2x) + 2sec^2(2x) + 8xsec^2(2x)tan(2x)

Thus,

f''(x) = 2sec^2($\pi$/3) + 2sec^2($\pi$/3) + 4$\pi$/3 * sec^2($\pi$/3)tan($\pi$/3)
 
Yup, this answer right now is correct. (Star)
 
jacobi said:
After simplifying, you should obtain a constant...but not zero. Could you show all your steps for the inverse trig derivative?

Because:

y = sin^-1(cos$\theta$) + cos^-1(sin$\theta$)

Thus,

y' = 1/(√1-cos^2($\theta$)) * (sin$\theta$) - 1/ (√1-sin^2($\theta$)) * cos$\theta$

Thus, knowing that sin^2($\theta$) + cos^2($\theta$) = 1, we know that:

y' = cos($\theta$)/cos($\theta$) - sin($\theta$)/sin($\theta$)

y' = 0.

Where did I go wrong?
 
Your chain rule for $$\sin^{-1}\left({\cos\left({x}\right)}\right)$$ is incorrect. What is the derivative of $\cos\left({x}\right)$?
 
  • #10
Rido12 said:
Your chain rule for $$\sin^{-1}\left({\cos\left({x}\right)}\right)$$ is incorrect. What is the derivative of $\cos\left({x}\right)$?

It should be -sinx.

So is the answer -1-1= -2?
 
  • #11
That appears to be correct. Glad you found your mistake :D
 

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