Need some help with a derivative and the chain rule

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around taking the derivative of the function f(x) = sin(x^2) / ln(sin(x)), focusing on the application of the chain rule and the quotient rule in calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the application of the chain rule and the quotient rule, questioning the presence of certain terms in the derivative. There is a focus on verifying the correct differentiation of ln(sin(x)) and its implications for the overall derivative.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the differentiation process, particularly regarding the correct application of the chain rule and the identification of g(x). There is an ongoing exploration of the steps involved in deriving the function, with no explicit consensus reached on the final answer.

Contextual Notes

Participants express frustration over repeated attempts to arrive at the correct derivative, indicating a potential misunderstanding of the rules involved. The original poster has sought verification from their professor, highlighting the importance of clarity in the differentiation process.

sEsposito
Messages
153
Reaction score
0
Okay so I'm doing chain rule work to go over the stuff from calc 1 before I take a departmental exam and I've run into this problem:

Homework Statement


Take the derivative of:

[tex]f(x) = \frac{sin(x^2)}{ln sinx}[/tex]



Homework Equations


Here's the formula I used (and always do) for the chain rule:

[tex]\frac{d}{dx}[f(g(x))] = f'(g(x))*g'(x)[/tex]



The Attempt at a Solution



[tex]f'(x) = \frac{ln sinx(cos(x^2)2x) - sin(x^2)\frac{1}{sinx}sinx cosx}{[ln sinx]^2}[/tex]


So, I've done this simple derivative problem 3 times and for some reason I keep getting this answer. E-Mailed my Prof and he said that the sinx right after the 1/sinx is not suposed to be there, but I cannot see why...Can anyone verify the correct answer for me just to see what I'm not grasping here. I'm very frustrated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Why do you have a sinx there? sinx2 comes from the original function, cosx/sinx comes from differentiating ln(sinx).
 
I'm thinking [tex]g(x) = sinx[/tex] so by the chain rule the bottom [tex]lnsinx = \frac{1}{sinx}sinxcosx[/tex]

And you and my prof are saying that [tex]lnsinx = \frac{1}{sinx}cosx[/tex]

But what happens to the [tex]g(x)[/tex]
 
D [ln(sinx)] = (1/sinx)cosx.
(where D is the derivative)

The general formula you are using is D [a(x)/b(x)] = [a'(x)b(x) - b'(x)a(x)] / [b(x)]2
You have most the terms right, it is the b'(x)a(x) term that is incorrect.
 
But why? If the rule is [tex]f'(x) = f'(g(x))*g'(x)[/tex] than what happens to the [tex]g(x)[/tex] which in this case [tex]= sinx[/tex]
 
VeeEight said:
The general formula you are using is D [a(x)/b(x)] = [a'(x)b(x) - b'(x)a(x)] / [b(x)]2
You have most the terms right, it is the b'(x)a(x) term that is incorrect.

That's the quotient rule, but I'm talking about the chain rule that needs to be used to get [tex]f'(x)[/tex]
 
Show step by step where the problem is.
If you are trying to differentiate ln(sinx), take the g(x)=sinx. then D [ln(g(x))] = 1/g(x) * g'(x). What is g'(x) here? It is cosx. Thus D [ln(g(x))] = 1/g(x) * g'(x) = (1/sinx)cosx
 
I see it now! You're right. I can't thank you enough.. This was driving me crazy. Seriously, thank you so much.
 
No problem! :) Peace
 

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K