Is This Example Correctly Solved Using Logarithmic Differentiation?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of logarithmic differentiation to solve the problem of finding the derivative of the function y = (2-x)^(sqrt x). Participants are questioning the correctness of a worked example related to this function.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are examining the validity of the logarithmic differentiation method applied to the given function. Some express uncertainty about specific steps, while others affirm the correctness of the approach. Questions about the clarity of the problem and potential misunderstandings are also raised.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with some participants expressing doubts and seeking clarification, while others assert that the solution appears correct. There is a mix of perspectives, and no consensus has been reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention that the problem may have been presented to check understanding of differentiation rules, and there are references to issues with accessing the provided image link, which may affect the discussion.

surferbarney0729
Messages
32
Reaction score
0
Something about this worked problem looks off. Is this example correctly solved using logarithmic differentiation?

The original problem is y = (2-x)^(sqrt x). If anyone who is rather confident with this could double check this example it would really help me out. Thanks. I attached the link to reduce my typing confusion.

http://archives.math.utk.edu/visual.calculus/3/logdiff.1/a1.gif
 
Physics news on Phys.org
swoodward said:
Something about this worked problem looks off. Is this example correctly solved using logarithmic differentiation?

The original problem is y = (2-x)^(sqrt x). If anyone who is rather confident with this could double check this example it would really help me out. Thanks. I attached the link to reduce my typing confusion.

http://archives.math.utk.edu/visual.calculus/3/logdiff.1/a1.gif
Here's the image:
attachment.php?attachmentid=49243&stc=1&d=1342914228.gif

What is it that looks off to you?
 

Attachments

  • a1.gif
    a1.gif
    2.4 KB · Views: 577
I can not pinpoint anything. I am aware of the steps of the log diff for other examples on this weeks homework. Prof through it out to the class that this looks off. I can't see it. Should I look deeper?
 
Looks perfectly fine to me.

Provided you understand the product rule, the chain rule, and the fact that ln(a^b) = b.ln(a), there isn't really anything mysterious here at all.
 
ok thanks. Perhaps it was thrown out to check our grasp of your aforementioned rules. Thanks for the time.
 
I threw this out last night, but it is still getting some pushback.

How does this look? Right or a little off? I placed the problem and solution link since I can not figure out how to import the image.

http://archives.math.utk.edu/visual...gdiff.1/a1.gif
 
Last edited by a moderator:
This is what I get when trying to look at the image:
The requested URL /visual...gdiff.1/a1.gif was not found on this server.
 
Does this work,

http://archives.math.utk.edu/visual.calculus/3/logdiff.1/a1.gif
 
The original problem is...

y = (2-x)^sqrt(x)
 
  • #10
And you want the derivative?
 
  • #11
yes, using logarithmic differentiation solve the problem.
 
  • #12
In general, when you have something like [tex]f(x)^{g(x)}[/tex] you can find the derivative like this, which should give you what you need to solve your specific problem where log is the natural logarithm:

[tex]y=f(x)^{g(x)}[/tex]
[tex]\log{y}=g(x)\log{f(x)}[/tex]
Implicitly differentiate both sides:
[tex]\frac{dy}{y}=g'(x)\log{f(x)}dx+\frac{g(x)f'(x)}{f(x)}dx[/tex]
[tex]y'=y\left(g'(x)\log{f(x)}+\frac{g(x)f'(x)}{f(x)} \right)[/tex]
[tex]y'=f(x)^{g(x)}\left(g'(x)\log{f(x)}+\frac{g(x)f'(x)}{f(x)}\right)[/tex]
 
  • #13
swoodward said:
yes, using logarithmic differentiation solve the problem.



It looks fine.

DonAntonio
 
  • #14
Your efforts to spread this question to a larger audience have obviously been quashed, as it looks like it's been merged into your original thread!
swoodward said:
I threw this out last night, but it is still getting some pushback.
What exactly do you mean by "some pushback"? Has your Prof said something? If so, what? Is he/she worried about the domain/range not being real etc?

Even the God Almighty that is Woolfy-Alfa agrees that this is the correct solution.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K