Derivatives and Inverse Trigonometry

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of derivatives, particularly focusing on inverse trigonometric functions and their derivatives. Participants are addressing specific problems from a problem set, sharing their approaches and questioning the correctness of their calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose using inverse trigonometric derivative identities for problem 1a, but there are concerns about the correct application of the chain rule.
  • One participant suggests that their derivative for 1a is incorrect due to not multiplying by the derivative of the inner function.
  • Another participant expresses confusion regarding the second derivative for question 2, stating they obtained a specific value but are challenged on their method.
  • There are multiple claims about the correctness of the second derivative, with participants asking for detailed steps to verify calculations.
  • One participant presents a derivative involving inverse trigonometric functions and questions where they went wrong in their simplification.
  • Another participant points out that the derivative of cosine should be negative, leading to a reevaluation of earlier calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correctness of their derivatives, with multiple competing views on the application of the chain rule and the simplification of expressions. Disagreements persist regarding specific calculations and interpretations of the derivatives.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the steps taken in their calculations, particularly regarding the application of the chain rule and the simplification of expressions involving inverse trigonometric functions. There are unresolved questions about the correctness of specific derivatives and the assumptions made in their calculations.

Who May Find This Useful

Students and individuals studying calculus, particularly those interested in derivatives of trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions, may find this discussion relevant.

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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