How Do You Differentiate e^x and ln(x)?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter JasonX
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Differentiation E^x
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the differentiation of the functions \( e^x \) and \( \ln(x) \). Participants explore the methods and reasoning behind obtaining their derivatives, including both direct differentiation and implicit differentiation techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests a detailed explanation of the differentiation process for \( y = e^x \) and \( y = \ln(x) \), expressing a desire for formulas.
  • Another participant suggests using implicit differentiation for \( \ln(x) \), providing a step-by-step approach that leads to the derivative \( y' = 1/x \).
  • A different perspective highlights the relationship between the exponential function and its inverse, proposing a method based on the inverse function rule to derive \( \frac{d}{dx} e^x = e^x \).
  • Concerns are raised about the clarity of notation, particularly regarding the equality of \( y = \ln x \) and \( y' = 1/x \), emphasizing the importance of precise mathematical expression.
  • One participant elaborates on the definitions of \( e^x \) and \( \ln(x) \), discussing the continuity and limit processes involved in proving their derivatives.
  • Another participant corrects a notation error, indicating that the original expression could lead to confusion regarding the equality of \( y \) and its derivative.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the clarity of notation and the methods used for differentiation. While some agree on the correctness of the derivatives, the discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to explain these concepts clearly.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that definitions and interpretations of functions play a significant role in the differentiation process. The discussion also touches on the implications of using different definitions for \( \ln(x) \) and \( e^x \), which may affect the understanding of their derivatives.

JasonX
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
please explain in more detail on how we come up with the answers below. Thanks in advance!
(formulas much appreciated)

Differentiate:
1.
y=e^x
=e^x
2.
y=lnx
=1/x
 
Physics news on Phys.org
There are many websites on the internet explaining those two.

Just search for the derivative for the first one though. Because for the second one, you can use implicit differentiation as follows...

y = lnx (use exponential)

e^y = x (differentiate implicitly)

y' e^y = 1

y' = 1/(e^y) (now sub in y)

y' = 1/(e^(lnx)) = 1/x
 
The first one is found using the rule for differentiating the inverse of a function,

[tex](f^{-1})^{'}(x) = \frac{1}{f^{'}(f^{-1})}[/tex]

because the exponential function is the inverse of the natural logarithmic function.

so

[tex]\frac{d}{dx}e^{x} = \frac{1}{\frac{d}{dx}[ln (e^{x})]}[/tex]

[tex]\frac{d}{dx}e^{x} = \frac{1}{\frac{1}{e^{x}}}[/tex]


[tex]\frac{d}{dx}e^{x} = e^{x}[/tex]
 
One point I think should be made: watch what you say! In particular, watch where you put "=". The most natural interpretation of
y=lnx
=1/x
is that you are saying that y is equal to both ln x and 1/x- so they are equal to each other.

Be very careful that you say
y= ln x,
y'= ln x.

As to how you prove them, that depends strongly on how you define the functions!
If you define ax by first defining an= "product of a with itself n times" as long as n is a positive integer, then extend to all rational numbers by requiring that ax+y= axay and axy= (ax)y for x,y any rational numbers, and finally extending to any real number by "continuity", then you can use the "difference quotient":
[tex]\lim_{h\rightarrow 0}\frac{a^(x+h)-a^x}{h}= \lim_{h\rightarrow 0}\frac{a^xa^h- a^x}{h}= \lim_{h\rightarrow 0}\frac{a^h- 1}{h} a^x[/itex]<br /> You can prove that [itex]\lim_{h\rightarrow 0}(a^h- 1)/h[/itex] exists for a any positive number, so that the derivative of [itex]a^x[/itex] is a constant times [itex]a^x[/itex] and then define e to be the number such that that constant is 1.<br /> Having done that, define ln(x) to be the inverse function to [itex]e^x[/itex]. If y= ln(x) then x= [itex]e^y[/itex] so [itex]dx/dy= e^y= x[/itex] and then [itex]dy/dx= 1/x[/itex].<br /> <br /> Conversely, it has become common in calculus books to define ln(x) as [itex]ln(x)= \int_1^x (1/t)dt[/itex] so that we have immediately from the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus that d(ln x)/dx= 1/x. Then define exp(x) to be the inverse function to ln(x) and we have: if y= [itex]e^x[/itex] then x= ln(y) so dx/dy= 1/y and dy/dx= y= [itex]e^x[/sup].[/itex][/tex]
 
HallsofIvy said:
y= ln x,
y'= ln x

I'm afraid that the OP may lose the point you were trying to make if you leave this as it is, otherwise I wouldn't bother correcting something so obvious.

Also you put parentheses where you meant to put braces.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
8K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K