Second derivative of y = x tan x

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter PrudensOptimus
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Tan
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
3 replies · 10K views
PrudensOptimus
Messages
641
Reaction score
0
y = x tan x

y' = tan x + x*sec^2(x)

y'' = sec^2(x) + d/dx (x*sec^2(x))

= ... + (d/dx(sec^2(x)) + sec^2(x))

= ... + (2secx + sec^2(x))

= 2sec^3 x + sec^4(x)

what did I do wrong?? in book it says y'' = something else.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
= ... + (2secx + sec^2(x))
First term should have d/dx(secx)=tanx.secx multipled, i.e. first term is 2sec2x.tanx.
 
= ... + (d/dx(sec^2(x)) + sec^2(x))

= ... + (2secx + sec^2(x))

= 2sec^3 x + sec^4(x)

You multiplied the first "sec^2 x" instead of adding!
 
I found the answer this morning,

something like

2sec^2 x(tanx + 1)