Derivatives of Exponential Functions Question

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding the derivative of the function y = (6^(3x-7)) / (x^2 - x), focusing on the application of the quotient rule and the differentiation of exponential functions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the quotient rule but expresses uncertainty about handling the exponential term 6^(3x-7). Some participants provide insights on rewriting the exponential function in terms of e to facilitate differentiation.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different aspects of the differentiation process, including the application of the chain rule and the quotient rule. There is a sharing of methods and clarification on notation, but no consensus has been reached on the final approach.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a need for clarity in mathematical notation, with participants discussing the use of LaTeX for formatting equations neatly.

TommyLF
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The problem is:

y= 6^3x-7
--------
(x^2)-x
Read: Y equals 6 to the 3x minus 7 OVER/Divided by x to the 2nd minus x

Now I thought I had to do a quotient rule there and start by doing:

(x^2-x)(e^(ln6)(3x-7))(3) and then so on from there. I just don't know what to do with that 6 to the 3x-7. Is it something to do with "e"?
 
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6^{3x-7} = e^{(3x-7)*ln(6)} You can see this by rewriting it as (e^{ln(6)})^{3x-7} although the first form is easier to differentiate. So the derivative, by the chain rule, is e^{3x-7)*ln(6)}*ln(6)*3 or 6^{3x-7}*3ln(6)
 
So would the quotient rule look like:

(x^2-x)(e^(3x-7)(ln 6))(3ln 6) + (6^3x-7)(2x-1)
--------------------------------------------
(x^2-x)^2

By the way, how do I get my question to look like nice and neat without a bunch of ^ like you just did?
 
TommyLF said:
By the way, how do I get my question to look like nice and neat without a bunch of ^ like you just did?

Is a mathematical markup language called LaTeX.

Here's some more info for this forum's LaTeX engine:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=8997
 
More specifically, the derivative of ax is ln(a) ax.

If you click on something like

\frac{da^x}{dx}= ln(a) a^x
A popup box will show the code.
 

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