Easy Derivative - Not easy for me, though

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the differentiation of the function x^(2sinx). A user employed implicit differentiation due to the variable presence in both the base and exponent but initially obtained an incorrect answer. The correct derivative is confirmed as 2cosx(x^2sinx). Participants emphasized the necessity of logarithmic differentiation when dealing with variable bases, highlighting a potential error in the provided 'correct' answer.

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Students and educators in calculus, particularly those focusing on differentiation techniques, as well as anyone seeking to clarify the application of logarithmic differentiation in complex functions.

fiziksfun
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1. Derivate x^(2sinx)


3. I used implicit differentiation because there's an x in the base and in the exponent.
I have all of my work in the picture (if you can't see it in the attachment):

http://i12.tinypic.com/7x1sn44.jpg


I don't get the same answer as the correct answer which is 2cosx(x^2sinx), and I can't figure out why!

Am I doing something wrong, or is it possible the answer is wrong !?
 

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Try substituting t = 2 sin x and you will get x^t where t(x). Differentiate x^t. What are you going to do if you get any t':s in your equation?
 
i'm getting the same answer as you
 
ya i just i checked my answer using a graph - its right and the other answer is wrong - thanks!
 
anytime :-]
 
fiziksfun said:
ya i just i checked my answer using a graph - its right and the other answer is wrong - thanks!

Whoever provided the 'correct' answer just treated it like d/dx (a^u), which only works for a constant a > 0. When the base of the exponential function is itself a variable or function, logarithmic differentiation is called for, which is what you did. (I sure hope that wasn't a TA or instructor who wrote that 'answer'...)
 

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