Why Do I Get a Different Result When Differentiating ln(x + sqrt(x^2-1))?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the derivative of the function \( h(x) = \ln(x + \sqrt{x^2 - 1}) \). Participants are exploring the differentiation process and comparing their results, which seem to differ from the expected answer of \( \frac{1}{x^2 - 1} \).

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to differentiate the function using the chain rule and are expressing confusion over their results. Some are questioning the structure of their differentiation steps and whether they are correctly applying the rules of differentiation.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing examination of the differentiation process, with participants providing their attempts and questioning each other's reasoning. Some guidance has been offered regarding the differentiation steps, but there is no clear consensus on the correct approach or final result.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may impose specific formatting or structural requirements for their solutions. There is also mention of potential misinterpretations of the problem statement.

UsernameValid
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How do I find the derivative of (x)=ln(x+(x^2-1)1/2)

The answer is suppose to be 1/(x2-1). But I keep ending up with 2x/(x2-1).
 
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UsernameValid said:
How do I find the derivative of (x)=ln(x+(x^2-1)1/2)
Is this supposed to be f(x) = ...
UsernameValid said:
The answer is suppose to be 1/(x2-1). But I keep ending up with 2x/(x2-1).

Show us what you did.

Also, do not delete the three parts of the homework template. They are there for a reason.
 
Well, the problem says h(x).


(d/dx)ln(x+(x2-1)1/2*(d/dx)(x+(x2-1)1/2*(d/dx)(x2-1)1/2*(d/dx)(x2-1).

1/(x+(x2-1)1/2 * 1+[x/(x2-1)]1/2 * x/(x2-1)1/2 * 2x

Which actually gets me 2x2/(x2-1)
 
UsernameValid said:
(d/dx)ln(x+(x2-1)1/2*(d/dx)(x+(x2-1)1/2*(d/dx)(x2-1)1/2*(d/dx)(x2-1).
I can't decipher that line. Left and right parentheses don't match up. Is there an equals sign missing? If not, I don't understand why there are any log terms in there.
 
UsernameValid said:
Well, the problem says h(x).
How was I to tell? You wrote this
How do I find the derivative of (x)=ln(x+(x^2-1)1/2)
UsernameValid said:
(d/dx)ln(x+(x2-1)1/2*(d/dx)(x+(x2-1)1/2*(d/dx)(x2-1)1/2*(d/dx)(x2-1).
There are actually too many "d/dx" operators in there, although I get what you're trying to do. Your task is to do this differentiation:

d/dx(ln(x+(x2-1)1/2)

$$= \frac{1}{x + (x^2 - 1)^{1/2}} \cdot d/dx(x + (x^2 - 1)^{1/2})$$
$$= \frac{1}{x + (x^2 - 1)^{1/2}} \cdot (1 + d/dx[(x^2 - 1)^{1/2}]$$
and so on, whittling away at it a little at a time.
UsernameValid said:
1/(x+(x2-1)1/2 * 1+[x/(x2-1)]1/2 * x/(x2-1)1/2 * 2x

Which actually gets me 2x2/(x2-1)
 

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