Differentiating tanh: Step-by-Step Guide

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter .....
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Differentiating
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on differentiating the hyperbolic tangent function, tanh, specifically in the context of the function f(x) = 2tanh(x(3/4)^(1/2)). Participants emphasize the importance of using the chain rule and the derivative formula d/dx(tanh(x)) = sech^2(x) or equivalently 1 - tanh^2(x). The conversation highlights the need for a solid understanding of hyperbolic functions, including sinh and cosh, to effectively tackle differentiation problems involving tanh.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of hyperbolic functions: sinh and cosh
  • Knowledge of differentiation rules, particularly the chain rule
  • Familiarity with the derivative of tanh: d/dx(tanh(x)) = sech^2(x)
  • Basic calculus skills for handling complex functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Practice differentiating complex functions using the chain rule
  • Study the properties and applications of hyperbolic functions
  • Learn how to derive and apply the derivative of tanh in various contexts
  • Explore advanced calculus topics, including integration techniques related to hyperbolic functions
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus, particularly those focusing on differentiation of hyperbolic functions, as well as educators looking for examples to explain the chain rule and hyperbolic function derivatives.

.....
Messages
53
Reaction score
0
I've been given a couple of problems to do, which I'm unable to because before looking at the question i'd never even HEARD of tanh, which is just... lovely of my lecturer

anyway, i had a look around on some websites & fiddled around with it on my calculator and i now have some idea what its all about... and i do mean some. But unfortunately all i could find was d/dx(tanhx) = 1 - tanh^2x
My problems are rather more complex than the variable sitting by itself... I'd like to have a go at the actual problems myself though, so if someone could work through the one below, which is sort of similar, and explain any rules they use... it should be helpful.

f(x) = 2tanh(x(3/4)^(1/2))
f '(x) = ?

thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Use the definition:\tanh x=:\frac{\sinh x}{\cosh x}.And of course,the chain rule.

Daniel.
 
... said:
I've been given a couple of problems to do, which I'm unable to because before looking at the question i'd never even HEARD of tanh, which is just... lovely of my lecturer

anyway, i had a look around on some websites & fiddled around with it on my calculator and i now have some idea what its all about... and i do mean some. But unfortunately all i could find was d/dx(tanhx) = 1 - tanh^2x
My problems are rather more complex than the variable sitting by itself... I'd like to have a go at the actual problems myself though, so if someone could work through the one below, which is sort of similar, and explain any rules they use... it should be helpful.

f(x) = 2tanh(x(3/4)^(1/2))
f '(x) = ?

thanks
d/dx(tanhx) = 1 - tanh^2x
Also equivalent to sech^2x, so you could just use that...
f(x) = 2tanh(x(3/4)^(1/2))
f '(x) = ?

When you see something as ugly and unattractive as that, you should immediately say "Oh God, not the chain rule!"
And... I guess that's pretty much all you need to doing this one.
Happy differentiating... integrating is the devil. :devil:
 
do you have a book? does it have an index? is it really your lecturer's fault if you have never heard of tanh?

have you heard of sinh, cosh? if so can you guess the definition of tanh?

to the best of my memory, after 40 years,

sin(x) = (1/2i)[e^(ix) - e^(-ix)], cos(x) = (1/2)(e^(ix)+e^(-ix)]

sinh(x) = (1/2)[e^(x) - e^(-x)], cosh(x) = (1/2)(e^(x)+e^(-x)].

presumaby tanh = sinh/cosh.

compare that with what you can find.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
5K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K