# Logaritmic Differentiation

Jimmy84

## Homework Statement

Find the derivative of y= x^2 (x^2 - 1)^3 (x+1)^4 using logaritmic differentiation.

## The Attempt at a Solution

y= x^2 (x^2 - 1)^3 (x+1)^4 = 2 ln|x| + 3 ln |(x^2)-1|+ 4 ln |x+1|

2/x + (6x)/(x^2-1) + 4/(x+1)

Is this right and if so what should I do next?

Homework Helper
You should start by not connecting all of the steps in your problem with an '=' sign. Do a simple example first. y=x^2. ln(y)=ln(x^2)=2*ln(x). Now differentiate. y'/y=2/x. So y'=2y/x=2x^2/x=2x. That's true. Now note that y and ln(y) are not equal. Nor is y=(ln(y))'. Take the log of both sides, then solve for y'.

Jimmy84
You should start by not connecting all of the steps in your problem with an '=' sign. Do a simple example first. y=x^2. ln(y)=ln(x^2)=2*ln(x). Now differentiate. y'/y=2/x. So y'=2y/x=2x^2/x=2x. That's true. Now note that y and ln(y) are not equal. Nor is y=(ln(y))'. Take the log of both sides, then solve for y'.

My problem is in the first steps, you said that y=x^2. ln(y)=ln(x^2)=2*ln(x)
Why does ln(x^2)=2*ln(x)

I dont remember much of my algebra classes about logarithms.

I would appreciate some help with this.

Gold Member
It's part of the properties of logarithms..

$$log (a^x) = x * log (a)$$

This is because of the exponent property...

$$(b^x)^y=b^{xy}$$

Jimmy84
Still im not having the result.

I tried this:
y= x^2 (x^2 - 1)^3 (x+1)^4

Lny = 2Ln(x) + 3Ln(x^2-1) + 4Ln(x+1)

y'/y = 2/x + 6x/x^2-1 + 4/x+1

y'= 2x (x^2 - 1)^3 (x+1)^4 + 6x^3 (x^2 - 1)^2 (x+1)^4 + 4 x^2 (x^2 - 1)^3 (x+1)^3

Is this right?

Homework Helper
Put parentheses around your denominators, ok? I.e. write y'/y = 2/x + 6x/(x^2-1) + 4/(x+1). But, yes, it's right so far. Now I think you just need to try and simplify it.

Jimmy84
Put parentheses around your denominators, ok? I.e. write y'/y = 2/x + 6x/(x^2-1) + 4/(x+1). But, yes, it's right so far. Now I think you just need to try and simplify it.

How can I simplify? I cant see a way of doing that.

Homework Helper
y'= 2x (x^2 - 1)^3 (x+1)^4 + 6x^3 (x^2 - 1)^2 (x+1)^4 + 4 x^2 (x^2 - 1)^3 (x+1)^3 is also right. Take out the common factors and try and simplify what's left.

Jimmy84
y'= 2x (x^2 - 1)^3 (x+1)^4 + 6x^3 (x^2 - 1)^2 (x+1)^4 + 4 x^2 (x^2 - 1)^3 (x+1)^3 is also right. Take out the common factors and try and simplify what's left.

I guess the common factors are (x^2 - 1) and (x+1) whats left is 2x + 6x^3 + 4 x^2

I guess I could simplify by 2x
2x ( 1 + 3x^3 + 2x^2 )

If this is correct what is next? Im kind of confuse I dont see where this is going.

Homework Helper
The point is that your answer is already right. There's nothing wrong with what you did. But you said "Still im not having the result." I assume that means you haven't simplified it enough to get the form of the answer you want. Is that right? In that case, that's where it's going. You can immediately factor out the highest power of each factor in your expression. That would be x*(x^2-1)^2*(x+1)^3. Then try and factor what's left. What is the answer you are looking for anyway?

Jimmy84
The point is that your answer is already right. There's nothing wrong with what you did. But you said "Still im not having the result." I assume that means you haven't simplified it enough to get the form of the answer you want. Is that right? In that case, that's where it's going. You can immediately factor out the highest power of each factor in your expression. That would be x*(x^2-1)^2*(x+1)^3. Then try and factor what's left. What is the answer you are looking for anyway?

The answer im looking for is 2x(x+1)^6 (x-1)^2 (6x^2 -2x -1)

Homework Helper
The answer im looking for is 2x(x+1)^6 (x-1)^2 (6x^2 -2x -1)

Ok, that's the same as your answer in a different form. Notice (x^2-1)=(x-1)*(x+1). Just combine and factor.

Jimmy84
Ok, that's the same as your answer in a different form. Notice (x^2-1)=(x-1)*(x+1). Just combine and factor.

Let me see, I still dont get the result. From
2x (x^2 - 1)^3 (x+1)^4 + 6x^3 (x^2 - 1)^2 (x+1)^4 + 4 x^2 (x^2 - 1)^3 (x+1)^3

(x^2-1)^3 = (x-1)^1.5 (x+1)^1.5 ?

So by adding all the (x^2 - 1) terms I get (x-1)^4 (x+1)^4

Plus the other (x+1) terms in the answer (x+1)^11 + (x+1)^4 = (x+1)^15 ?

Homework Helper
Let me see, I still dont get the result. From
2x (x^2 - 1)^3 (x+1)^4 + 6x^3 (x^2 - 1)^2 (x+1)^4 + 4 x^2 (x^2 - 1)^3 (x+1)^3

(x^2-1)^3 = (x-1)^1.5 (x+1)^1.5 ?

So by adding all the (x^2 - 1) terms I get (x-1)^4 (x+1)^4

Plus the other (x+1) terms in the answer (x+1)^11 + (x+1)^4 = (x+1)^15 ?

Factor! Take out the common factor first. All of the terms are divisible by x*(x^2-1)^2*(x+1)^3. Factor it out.