Differentiating sin^2[3x]: Chain & Product Rules

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SUMMARY

The differentiation of sin²(3x) is accurately performed using both the chain rule and product rule. The correct derivative is derived as 3sin(6x) through the application of the chain rule, where u = 3x and v = sin(u). The final expression is confirmed as 6sin(3x)cos(3x), which simplifies to 3sin(6x) using the identity 2sin(x)cos(x) = sin(2x). This discussion clarifies the correct application of differentiation rules in trigonometric functions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Chain Rule in calculus
  • Familiarity with the Product Rule in calculus
  • Knowledge of trigonometric identities, specifically sin(2x) = 2sin(x)cos(x)
  • Basic differentiation techniques for composite functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the Chain Rule in more complex functions
  • Practice differentiating other trigonometric functions using the Product Rule
  • Explore advanced trigonometric identities and their proofs
  • Learn about implicit differentiation and its applications
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Students studying calculus, mathematics educators, and anyone looking to improve their understanding of differentiation techniques in trigonometric functions.

winston2020
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I'm not sure how to differentiate sin^2[3x]. Although, I think it's just d/dx( (sin[3x])(sin[3x]) ). So, just chain and product rules should do it. Is that right?

EDIT: I've followed through with the above method, and I got 3*sin(6x). Is that correct?
 
Last edited:
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nope!

what does chain rule say?

\frac{d}{dx}sin^2(3x)=2sin(3x)*3=6sin3x
 
sutupidmath said:
nope!

what does chain rule say?

\frac{d}{dx}sin^2(3x)=2sin(3x)*3=6sin3x

Oh man, I really over complicated things. Thanks :D

EDIT: Wait though... shouldn't sin switch to cos at some point?

Doesn't the chain rule mean it should go something like this:

<br /> = 2sin(3x)*cos(3x)*3<br />
<br /> = 6* sin(3x)cos(3x)<br />
<br /> = 3( 2sin(3x)cos(3x) )<br />
<br /> = 3( sin(2 *3x) )<br />
<br /> = 3sin(6x)<br />
 
Last edited:
chain rule: [f(g(x))]'=f'(g(x))g'(x)
 
sutupidmath said:
chain rule: [f(g(x))]'=f'(g(x))g'(x)

Exactly. So then this is my logic:

Since sin^2(u) = [sin(u)]^2

Let u = 3x

And let v = sin(u)

i.e.

\frac{d}{dx}v^2 = 2v = 2(sin(u)) * \frac{d}{dx}sin(u) = 2(sin(3x)) * cos(3x) * \frac{d}{dx}3x

<br /> = 2(sin(3x)) * cos(3x) * 3<br />

<br /> = 6(sin(3x)cos(3x))<br />

And since 2sin(x)cos(x) = sin(2x)

<br /> = 3( 2sin(3x)cos(3x) )<br />
<br /> = 3( sin(2*3x) )<br />
<br /> = 3sin(6x)<br />

Is that not correct?
 
That's completely right^^
 
Feldoh said:
That's completely right^^

Thank you :smile:
 
I believe winston2020 is correct.

Sutupidmath, the g(x) function is sin(3x) so you have to take the derivative of that, which is 3cos(3x), not the derivative of 3x.

winston, you should be a bit more confident in your answers :). You did mention that you could do this via chain rule or product rule, so that gives you a way to check your answer. The idea is not to worry about 3x in on (sin(3x))2. Use the well known rule for dealing with powers, then take the derivative of the "inside" function, sin(3x), which is just 3cos(3x) and multiply to get 2sin(3x)3cos(3x) = 6sin(3x)cos(3x) = 3*2sin(3x)cos(3x) = 3sin(6x).
 
snipez90 said:
I believe winston2020 is correct.

Sutupidmath, the g(x) function is sin(3x) so you have to take the derivative of that, which is 3cos(3x), not the derivative of 3x.

.

My bad lol..i don't know what i was thinking!
 

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