What Is the Correct Derivative of Log(cosh(x-1))?

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SUMMARY

The correct derivative of the function f(x) = Log(cosh(x-1)) is f'(x) = sinh(x) / [cosh(x) - 1]. A common mistake identified in the discussion is the misinterpretation of the function's argument, where Log(cosh(x)-1) was confused with Log(cosh(x-1)). The marking scheme provided in a 2014 University past paper incorrectly suggests an alternative derivative, cosh(x) + 1 / sinh(x), which does not align with the correct calculations. Proper use of parentheses is crucial in derivative calculations to avoid such errors.

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Homework Statement


f(x) = Log(cosh(x-1)), find f'(x).

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


f'(x) = [1/cosh(x) - 1] * d/dx [cosh(x) - 1], => f'(x) = sinh(x) / [cosh(x) - 1]

Although, my marking scheme says the answer should instead be; cosh(x) + 1 / sinh(x).

Can someone explain where I'm going wrong? Thanks.
 
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Ryansf98 said:

Homework Statement


f(x) = Log(cosh(x-1)), find f'(x).

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


f'(x) = [1/cosh(x) - 1] * d/dx [cosh(x) - 1], => f'(x) = sinh(x) / [cosh(x) - 1]

Although, my marking scheme says the answer should instead be; cosh(x) + 1 / sinh(x).

Can someone explain where I'm going wrong? Thanks.
Check the function f(x) in the problem. Is it really ##f(x)=\log(\cosh(x-1))##?
 
ehild said:
Check the function f(x) in the problem. Is it really ##f(x)=\log(\cosh(x-1))##?

Screenshot (56).png


Question 16. Definitely yeah.
 
Ryansf98 said:
View attachment 198135

Question 16. Definitely yeah.
log(cosh(x)-1) is not the same as log(cosh(x-1)). The argument of cosh is x in the original problem, you wrote(x-1).
You made errors with the parentheses in the solution. Somehow you wrote the correct derivative, but the marking scheme is not correct.
 
ehild said:
log(cosh(x)-1) is not the same as log(cosh(x-1)). The argument of cosh is x in the original problem, you wrote(x-1).
You made errors with the parentheses in the solution. Somehow you wrote the correct derivative, but the marking scheme is not correct.

Ah apologies, I tend to overuse brackets & at times make mistakes as a result. I'm working from a University past paper so I assumed the marking scheme to be correct no matter what as it's a paper from 2014.

So in either circumstances with the parenthesis, there is no way that function could have a derivative equal to the marking schemes answer?
 
The derivative of f(x)=log(cosh(x)-1) is ##\frac{sinh(x)}{\cosh(x)-1}## as you wrote, and that is not among the given answers.
 
Ryansf98 said:
f'(x) = [1/cosh(x) - 1] * d/dx [cosh(x) - 1], => f'(x) = sinh(x) / [cosh(x) - 1]

Ryansf98 said:
Ah apologies, I tend to overuse brackets & at times make mistakes as a result.
Overuse is not the problem here -- [1/cosh(x) - 1] -- in the righthand side of the first equation above.
What you wrote means ##\frac 1 {\cosh(x)} - 1##, which I'm sure isn't what you intended.

When you write a fraction where either the numerator or the denominator contains multiple terms, you have to surround that part with parentheses or other enclosing symbols.
 

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