MHB Trig identity problem embedded in chain-rule myopia

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The discussion centers on the differentiation of the function e^(sin²(x)), where the user struggles with the substitution of u = sin(x) in the context of the chain rule. The correct derivative is established as e^(sin²(x)) * 2sin(x)cos(x), which simplifies to e^(sin²(x)) * sin(2x). Participants suggest using logarithmic differentiation for clarity and propose alternative approaches, including leveraging the double angle identity for cosine. The user expresses a desire for further understanding and clarity on these derivative concepts, indicating a commitment to mastering trigonometric identities.
DeusAbscondus
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I'm having trouble understanding a trig identity and only include it here (rather than in trig forum) as it touches on a -broader- derivative problem.

Here it is:
$$\frac{d}{dx} \ e^{sin^2(x)}=e^{sin^2(x)}\cdot 2sin(x)cos(x)$$
$$=e^{sin^2(x)}\cdot \ sin(2x)$$

I have attached a proof of the derivation of sin^2(x) but I don't understand it, quite frankly. Especially "where u=sin(x)" I guess, because I've worked hard at internalizing the simple "truth"(?) that the brackets contain the "argument" which is being substituted by "u", but here, it is u=sin(x), then, following from that, $\frac{d}{dx} u^2=2u$, which i can accept if I first swallow $u=sin(x)$, but I can't, because I can't get over the hurdle of seeing $()$ as the cue for substituting with "u"

Edit: 22:55 GMT+10
** Does this get me any closer $$2u \cdot u'$$

Can anyone see my problem and lead me out of this quagmire so that I can proceed with the grunt work I need to do on the trig identities (remedial work, I know, but this is how I seem to be proceeding)

Sigh,
DeusAbs
 
Last edited:
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DeusAbscondus said:
I'm having trouble understanding a trig identity and only include it here (rather than in trig forum) as it touches on a -broader- derivative problem.

Here it is:
$$\frac{d}{dx} \ e^{sin^2(x)}=e^{sin^2(x)}\cdot 2sin(x)cos(x)$$
$$=e^{sin^2(x)}\cdot \ sin(2x)$$

I have attached a proof of the derivation of sin^2(x) but I don't understand it, quite frankly. Especially "where u=sin(x)" I guess, because I've worked hard at internalizing the simple "truth"(?) that the brackets contain the "argument" which is being substituted by "u", but here, it is u=sin(x), then, following from that, $\frac{d}{dx} u^2=2u$*[/color], which i can accept if I first swallow $u=sin(x)$, but I can't, because I can't get over the hurdle of seeing $()$ as the cue for substituting with "u"

Edit: 22:55 GMT+10
** Does this get me any closer $$2u \cdot u'$$

Can anyone see my problem and lead me out of this quagmire so that I can proceed with the grunt work I need to do on the trig identities (remedial work, I know, but this is how I seem to be proceeding)

Sigh,
DeusAbs

edit: If you're using a pseudonym you might want to black out the name in the top right corner of the screenshot.

* Nitpicking I'm sure but you're finding $\frac{d}{du}$ instead of $\frac{d}{dx}$You can use any substitution you like really although you do need to take care when finding $\frac{du}{dx}$. To make this easier to see let $y = e^{\sin^2(x)}$ (which also brings in the possibility of logarithmic differentiation). In your case having du inside the sin function doesn't really help since you can't go anywhere with it

$y = e^{\sin^2(x)}$

If we let $ u = \sin^2(x)$ then we end up with $\dfrac{du}{dx} = 2\sin(x)\cos(x) \text{ and } y = e^u$

edit - removed an "a" from this expression

By the chain rule $\frac{dy}{dx} = \dfrac{dy}{du} \cdot \frac{du}{dx}$

$\dfrac{dy}{dx} = e^u \cdot 2\sin(x)\cos(x) = e^{\sin^2(x)} \cdot 2\sin(x)\cos(x)$

=========================

It may be easier for you to solve this particular problem using logarithmic differentiation:
Let $y = e^{\sin^2(x)}\ \rightarrow \ \ln(y) = \sin^2(x) \ \rightarrow \ \frac{y'}{y} = 2\sin(x)\cos(x) \ \rightarrow \ y' = e^{\sin^2(x)} \cdot 2\cos(x)\sin(x)$

============================

Another way to look at it is to use the double angle identity for cos.
$\cos(2x) = 1-2\sin^2(x) \rightarrow \sin^2(x) = \frac{1}{2} - \frac{\cos(2x)}{2}$

$\dfrac{d}{dx}e^{\sin^2(x)} = \dfrac{d}{dx}e^{1/2 - \cos(2x)/2} $

Using the chain rule should hopefully be easier here without a squared term

$\dfrac{d}{dx}e^{1/2 - \cos(2x)/2} = e^{1/2 - \cos(2x)/2} \cdot \dfrac{d}{dx}- \cos(2x)/2 = e^{1/2 - \cos(2x)/2} \cdot \sin(2x)/2 \cdot 2 = e^{1/2 - \cos(2x)/2} \cdot \sin(2x)$

The value of the exponent is of course equal to sin^2(x) so feel free to back-sub
$e^{\sin^2(x)}\sin(2x)$
 
Last edited:
SuperSonic4 said:
edit: If you're using a pseudonym you might want to black out the name in the top right corner of the screenshot.

* Nitpicking I'm sure but you're finding $\frac{d}{du}$ instead of $\frac{d}{dx}$You can use any substitution you like really although you do need to take care when finding $\frac{du}{dx}$. To make this easier to see let $y = e^{\sin^2(x)}$ (which also brings in the possibility of logarithmic differentiation). In your case having du inside the sin function doesn't really help since you can't go anywhere with it

$y = e^{\sin^2(x)}$

If we let $ u = asin^2(x)$ then we end up with $\dfrac{du}{dx} = 2\sin(x)\cos(x) \text{ and } y = e^u$

By the chain rule $\frac{dy}{dx} = \dfrac{dy}{du} \cdot \frac{du}{dx}$

$\dfrac{dy}{dx} = e^u \cdot 2\sin(x)\cos(x) = e^{\sin^2(x)} \cdot 2\sin(x)\cos(x)$

=========================

It may be easier for you to solve this particular problem using logarithmic differentiation:
Let $y = e^{\sin^2(x)}\ \rightarrow \ \ln(y) = \sin^2(x) \ \rightarrow \ \frac{y'}{y} = 2\sin(x)\cos(x) \ \rightarrow \ y' = e^{\sin^2(x)} \cdot 2\cos(x)\sin(x)$

============================

Another way to look at it is to use the double angle identity for cos.
$\cos(2x) = 1-2\sin^2(x) \rightarrow \sin^2(x) = \frac{1}{2} - \frac{\cos(2x)}{2}$

$\dfrac{d}{dx}e^{\sin^2(x)} = \dfrac{d}{dx}e^{1/2 - \cos(2x)/2} $

Using the chain rule should hopefully be easier here without a squared term

$\dfrac{d}{dx}e^{1/2 - \cos(2x)/2} = e^{1/2 - \cos(2x)/2} \cdot \dfrac{d}{dx}- \cos(2x)/2 = e^{1/2 - \cos(2x)/2} \cdot \sin(2x)/2 \cdot 2 = e^{1/2 - \cos(2x)/2} \cdot \sin(2x)$

The value of the exponent is of course equal to sin^2(x) so feel free to back-sub
$e^{\sin^2(x)}\sin(2x)$

Simply Super!, Super.
There is substance herein to keep me chewing down hard for days, on real meat for real budding mathematicians! (Nerd)
 
There are probably loads of proofs of this online, but I do not want to cheat. Here is my attempt: Convexity says that $$f(\lambda a + (1-\lambda)b) \leq \lambda f(a) + (1-\lambda) f(b)$$ $$f(b + \lambda(a-b)) \leq f(b) + \lambda (f(a) - f(b))$$ We know from the intermediate value theorem that there exists a ##c \in (b,a)## such that $$\frac{f(a) - f(b)}{a-b} = f'(c).$$ Hence $$f(b + \lambda(a-b)) \leq f(b) + \lambda (a - b) f'(c))$$ $$\frac{f(b + \lambda(a-b)) - f(b)}{\lambda(a-b)}...

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