Log Differentiation: Find dy/dx of (cosx)^sinx

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on using logarithmic differentiation to find the derivative of y = (cosx)^sinx. Participants emphasize applying the natural logarithm, leading to the equation ln y = sin x ln(cos x). They discuss the differentiation process, utilizing the chain rule and product rule, and clarify the importance of using natural logarithms instead of common logarithms. The final derivative is expressed as dy/dx = (cos x)^(sin x)(sin x (-sin x/cos x) + cos x ln(cos x)). Overall, the thread illustrates the step-by-step approach to solving the differentiation problem using logarithmic techniques.
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Using log differentiation, find dy/dx, in terms of x for the following:
y = (cosx)^sinx

any help wud be appreciated, I am unsure of how to start this question, thanks in advance
 
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Logarithmate and differentiate using the chain rule.

Daniel.
 
all i need help is in how to logarithmate it, if i understood that then i should be able to differentiate it easily
 
a = e^{\ln{a}} where 'ln' is natural log.
 
Then use chain rule plus product rule. The other way is to differentiate implicitly after taking logs of both sides.
 
Apply logarithm on both sides, and use the property of logs \ln a^b = b \ln a
 
ok. i think i got it

y = (cosx)^sinx
logy = log(cosx^sinx)
logy=sinx(logcosx)
(dy/dx)(1/(yln10)) = sinx(1/cosx(ln10) + log(cosx^cosx)
(dy/dx)=[(tanx/ln10) + (log(cosx^cosx))](yln10)

jus let me know if I am on the right track. thanks for your help guys.
 
I think so, but why this ln 10??

\ln y = \sin x \ln (\cos x)

\frac{dy}{dx} \frac{1}{y} = \sin x \frac{-\sin x}{\cos x} + \cos x \\ln (\cos x)

\frac{dy}{dx} = (\cos x)^{\sin x}(\sin x \frac{-\sin x}{\cos x} + \cos x \ln (\cos x))
 
isnt the derivative of log(base)x = 1/xln(base) ?
 
  • #10
Yes, you should have used natural logarithm to avoid that, but it's ok.
 
  • #11
how could u have used natural logs to avoid that?
 
  • #12
o nevermind stupid question lol. i should have converted log to ln then found the deriative.
 
  • #13
hah - "logarithmate"? I would prefer "logarithmize"
 
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