Is My Derivative Calculation for a Logarithmic Function Correct?

[xxclaymanxx]

1. Given Y = ln [ (x+1)^3/((x^2)-1)^(1/2), find y'



2. I came out with the following answer to this question:

(3x-4)/((x^2)-1)


How ever, I typed the question into an online derivative calculator (to hopefully check my asnwer as I have no answer key, and want to make sure I'm on the right path), but it came up with a completely different answer:

(2x-3)/((x^2)-1)

Could anyone point me in the right direction...my answer worked out nicely: factored, canceled etc. but I'm worried its not correct.

Thanks for the check!

 

[CompuChip]

The latter is correct, unfortunately for you :)
You're not completely off, though, as
\frac{2x - 3}{x^2 - 1} = \frac{3 x - 4}{x^2 - 1} + \frac{x - 1}{x^2 - 1} = \frac{3 x - 4}{x^2 - 1} - \frac{1}{1 + x}<br />
so it looks like you're just missing a term or you've got a sign wrong.

Also unfortunately, it is hard for us to tell you what went wrong without showing us your work. It's basically just calculating: d/du log(u) = 1/u, using the chain rule with u = (x+1)^3/((x^2)-1)^(1/2).

 

[xxclaymanxx]

Thank you for your help! it allowed me to go back into my work, and figure out where I wen't wrong. Basically all I did, was i forgot to write an X, and instead wrote a 1...so when I was multiplying both sides by a common demonator, my numbers came out funny.

Anyways, I found the error, corrected the following calculations, and VOILA! got it.

Thanks again!

 

[HallsofIvy]

1. Given Y = ln [ (x+1)^3/((x^2)-1)^(1/2)], find y'

May I point out that Y= 3ln(x+1)-(1/2)ln(x²+ 1). Surely that is simpler to differentiate!

2. I came out with the following answer to this question:

(3x-4)/((x^2)-1)


How ever, I typed the question into an online derivative calculator (to hopefully check my asnwer as I have no answer key, and want to make sure I'm on the right path), but it came up with a completely different answer:

(2x-3)/((x^2)-1)

Could anyone point me in the right direction...my answer worked out nicely: factored, canceled etc. but I'm worried its not correct.

Thanks for the check!