Logarithm differentiation + chain rule

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The discussion centers on differentiating the function y = √(2ln(x) + 1) using both the chain rule and implicit differentiation. The correct derivative is confirmed as dy/dx = 1/(xy), which aligns with the goal of verifying this result. Participants clarify that squaring the equation does not introduce extraneous solutions because y, being a square root, is nonnegative. The conversation also addresses concerns about multiple values for the derivative, concluding that only the positive root is valid in this context. Overall, the differentiation techniques and their implications are thoroughly examined and validated.
JamesGoh
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y=\sqrt{2ln(x)+1}

if I use the chain rule properly, should I be getting this answer?

\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{2}{x} \times \frac{1}{2} \times \frac{1}{\sqrt{2ln(x)+1}}

My aim of doing this is to verify that

\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{1}{xy}
 
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That's right and equal to what you want!
 
Shyan said:
That's right and equal to what you want!
Exactly what Shaun said.
If you equate that to what information you need.

BINGO! You will get your answer
 
As a simpler alternative to using the chain rule, you can do this:

##y = \sqrt{2\ln(x) + 1} ##
##\Rightarrow y^2 = 2\ln(x) + 1##
Differentiating implicitly,
##2y\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{2}{x}##
##\Rightarrow \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{xy}##
 
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Yes, that is correct. Just to show the math:

d/dx[√2ln(x)+1]
=1/2√2ln(x)+1 * 2/x
=2/x * 1/2 * 1/√2ln(x)+1
 
You are missing several sets of parentheses.
Apogee said:
Yes, that is correct. Just to show the math:

d/dx[√2ln(x)+1]
Most would interpret the part in brackets above as √2 * ln(x)+1, rather than √(2ln(x)+1).
Apogee said:
=1/2√2ln(x)+1 * 2/x
Most would interpret the above as
1/2 * √2ln(x) + 2/x, which I don't think is what you intended.
Apogee said:
=2/x * 1/2 * 1/√2ln(x)+1
 
You're right, perhaps I should have put 2ln(x) + 1 in parentheses, but I think he gets what I mean haha. Nonetheless, I appreciate the correction. Thank you!
 
Mark44 said:
As a simpler alternative to using the chain rule, you can do this:

##y = \sqrt{2\ln(x) + 1} ##
##\Rightarrow y^2 = 2\ln(x) + 1##
Differentiating implicitly,
##2y\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{2}{x}##
##\Rightarrow \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{xy}##

Hm, how does this take into account the fact that squaring the equation will give multiple values?

##y^2=2\ln(x)+1## is a set of two equations, namely $$y= \sqrt{2\ln(x) + 1}$$ and $$y= -\sqrt{2\ln(x) + 1}$$
Will the derivative also be multiple valued? It doesn't seem like it since ##\frac{1}{xy}## is a singled valued funtion. What am I missing?
 
Mark44 said:
As a simpler alternative to using the chain rule, you can do this:

##y = \sqrt{2\ln(x) + 1} ##
##\Rightarrow y^2 = 2\ln(x) + 1##
Differentiating implicitly,
##2y\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{2}{x}##
##\Rightarrow \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{xy}##
paradoxymoron said:
Hm, how does this take into account the fact that squaring the equation will give multiple values?
Actually it doesn't in this case. That's something that I considered but didn't mention before. In the first equation, the square root term is necessarily nonnegative, which means that y must also be nonnegative. So squaring both sides doesn't introduce extraneous solutions that weren't present in the original equation.
paradoxymoron said:
##y^2=2\ln(x)+1## is a set of two equations, namely $$y= \sqrt{2\ln(x) + 1}$$ and $$y= -\sqrt{2\ln(x) + 1}$$
Will the derivative also be multiple valued?
I don't understand what you're asking. The derivative will not be multiple valued.
paradoxymoron said:
It doesn't seem like it since ##\frac{1}{xy}## is a singled valued funtion. What am I missing?
 
  • #10
Mark44 said:
I don't understand what you're asking. The derivative will not be multiple valued.

What I'm trying to ask is that since we found the derivative is ##\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{1}{xy}##, we have two options for ##y## now, the positive or negative root, since we squared the term to make the differentiation simpler. Why do we necessarily choose the positive one? I know I'm just being technical, sorry about my arrogance, but it's a pet-peeve of mine.
 
  • #11
paradoxymoron said:
What I'm trying to ask is that since we found the derivative is ##\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{1}{xy}##, we have two options for ##y## now, the positive or negative root, since we squared the term to make the differentiation simpler.
No we don't in this case, which I explained in post #9. Since y is the square root of some expression, y is necessarily nonnegative. Take a look again at what I wrote, and see if that answers your questions.


paradoxymoron said:
Why do we necessarily choose the positive one? I know I'm just being technical, sorry about my arrogance, but it's a pet-peeve of mine.
 

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