Differentiation of e^(-x) / ln(x)

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    Differentiation
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the differentiation of the function e^(-x) / ln(x). Participants are exploring the application of the quotient rule and addressing specific aspects of the differentiation process, including simplifications and potential errors in the derived expressions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents their differentiation attempt using the quotient rule, resulting in a specific expression for dy/dx.
  • Another participant points out that the result can be simplified to show equivalence with the original answer provided.
  • There is a request for clarification on the origin of a factor "x" in the numerator of the expression.
  • Further breakdown of the differentiation process is provided, showing the steps leading to the simplified form.
  • A participant acknowledges a mistake in their earlier expression and attempts to clarify their differentiation approach.
  • Another participant questions the sign in the final answer, suggesting a potential error in the original expression.
  • There is a correction regarding the terminology used, noting that the initial expression is not an equation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correctness of the sign in the final answer, indicating that there is no consensus on this point. Additionally, there is a mix of clarifications and corrections regarding the differentiation process, but no final agreement on the overall correctness of the expressions derived.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note potential misunderstandings regarding terminology and the nature of the expression being discussed. There are also indications of unresolved mathematical steps and assumptions made during the differentiation process.

Petra de Ruyter
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Hi there
Getting stuck on this equation.
e^(-x) / ln(x)

Solving it by quotient rule, however answer has extra x in numerator.
using the dy/dx = (v(du/dx)-u(dv/dx))/v^2

dy/dx = (ln(x)*-e^(-x) - (-e^(-x)*1/x)/ln(x)^2

Answer = (-e^(-x) (x ln(x)-1))/x(ln(x))^2

Would appreciate help with breaking this down. Cheers
 
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Your result has a factor
$$ \ln x - \frac{1}{x} = \frac{ x\ln x -1}{x}$$
so it is equivalent to the form given as the answer.
 
Thank you for the reply. Sorry, not sure that I understand your response. Can you please break it down, to show where the "x" value is coming from.

Cheers.
 
You wrote dy/dx = (ln(x)*-e^(-x) - (-e^(-x)*1/x)/ln(x)^2, so if I format this we have
$$ \frac{ \ln x (-e^{-x}) - (-e^{-x}) \frac{1}{x} }{ (\ln x)^2} = - \frac{e^{-x}}{ (\ln x)^2} \left( \ln x - \frac{1}{x} \right).$$
Now we can write
$$ \ln x - \frac{1}{x} = \frac{x}{x} \ln x - \frac{1}{x} = \frac{ x \ln x - 1}{x}.$$
When we put this into the previous expression, we get
$$ - \frac{e^{-x}}{ (\ln x)^2} \frac{ x \ln x - 1}{x} = - e^{-x}\frac{ x \ln x - 1}{x(\ln x)^2},$$
which is the same as the answer that you wrote as (-e^(-x) (x ln(x)-1))/x(ln(x))^2.
 
Many thanks for the response. Thank you. Now I get it.
Cheers
 
fzero said:
You wrote dy/dx = (ln(x)*-e^(-x) - (-e^(-x)*1/x)/ln(x)^2, so if I format this we have
$$ \frac{ \ln x (-e^{-x}) - (-e^{-x}) \frac{1}{x} }{ (\ln x)^2} = - \frac{e^{-x}}{ (\ln x)^2} \left( \ln x - \frac{1}{x} \right).$$
Now we can write
$$ \ln x - \frac{1}{x} = \frac{x}{x} \ln x - \frac{1}{x} = \frac{ x \ln x - 1}{x}.$$
When we put this into the previous expression, we get
$$ - \frac{e^{-x}}{ (\ln x)^2} \frac{ x \ln x - 1}{x} = - e^{-x}\frac{ x \ln x - 1}{x(\ln x)^2},$$
which is the same as the answer that you wrote as (-e^(-x) (x ln(x)-1))/x(ln(x))^2.
fzero said:
You wrote dy/dx = (ln(x)*-e^(-x) - (-e^(-x)*1/x)/ln(x)^2, so if I format this we have
$$ \frac{ \ln x (-e^{-x}) - (-e^{-x}) \frac{1}{x} }{ (\ln x)^2} = - \frac{e^{-x}}{ (\ln x)^2} \left( \ln x - \frac{1}{x} \right).$$
Now we can write
$$ \ln x - \frac{1}{x} = \frac{x}{x} \ln x - \frac{1}{x} = \frac{ x \ln x - 1}{x}.$$
When we put this into the previous expression, we get
$$ - \frac{e^{-x}}{ (\ln x)^2} \frac{ x \ln x - 1}{x} = - e^{-x}\frac{ x \ln x - 1}{x(\ln x)^2},$$
which is the same as the answer that you wrote as (-e^(-x) (x ln(x)-1))/x(ln(x))^2.

I made a mistake...should be
You wrote dy/dx = (ln(x)*-e^(-x) - (e^(-x)*1/x)/ln(x)^2

Cheers Petra
 
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Petra de Ruyter said:
I made a mistake...should be
You wrote dy/dx = (ln(x)*-e^(-x) - (e^(-x)*1/x)/ln(x)^2

Cheers Petra

Sorry I should have caught that. From the start we have
$$ \begin{split} \frac{d}{dx} \frac{e^{-x}}{\ln x} &= \frac{1}{\ln x} \frac{d}{dx} e^{-x}+e^{-x} \frac{d}{dx} \frac{1}{\ln x} \\
& = - \frac{e^{-x}}{\ln x} - e^{-x} \frac{1}{x (\ln x)^2} \\
& = - e^{-x} \frac{1}{x (\ln x)^2} ( x\ln x +1). \end{split}$$
Are you sure there isn't a + sign in the answer that was given?
 
No, I've double checked the answer. It has a "-" which I don't think is correct.

Cheers Petra
 
Petra de Ruyter said:
Getting stuck on this equation.
e^(-x) / ln(x)
Minor point -- the above is not an equation, with the main clue being that there is no =. An equation indicates that two quantities have the same value; i.e., are equal.
 
  • #10
My mistake, used the wrong forum category and terminology.
 

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