3.9: Derivatives of Ln, General Exponential & Log Functions; and Logarithmic Differentiation

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So far, we have learned how to differentiate a variety of functions, including trigonometric, inverse, and implicit functions. In this section, we explore derivatives of logarithmic functions. Logarithmic functions can help rescale large quantities and are particularly helpful for rewriting complicated expressions.

Derivative of the Logarithmic Function

Now that we have the derivative of the natural exponential function, we can use implicit differentiation to find the derivative of its inverse, the natural logarithmic function.

Theorem: The Derivative of the Natural Logarithmic Function

If \(x>0\) and \(y=\ln x\),then

\(\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{1}{x}\).

If \(x ≠ 0\) and \(y=\ln |x|\),then

\(\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{1}{x}\).

Suppose the argument of the natural log is not just \(x\), but instead is \(g(x)\), a differentiable function. Now, using the chain rule, we get a more general derivative: for all values of \(x\) for which \(g(x)>0\), the derivative of \(h(x)=ln(g(x))\) is given by

\(h′(x)=\frac{1}{g(x)}g′(x).\)

Proof

If \(x>0\) and \(y=\ln x\), then \(e^y=x.\) Differentiating both sides of this equation results in the equation

\(e^y\frac{dy}{dx}=1.\)

Solving for \(\frac{dy}{dx}\) yields

\(\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{1}{e^y}\).

Finally, we substitute \(x=e^y\) to obtain

\(\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{1}{x}\).

We may also derive this result by applying the inverse function theorem, as follows. Since \(y=g(x)=lnx\)

is the inverse of \(f(x)=e^x\), by applying the inverse function theorem we have

\(\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{1}{f′(g(x))}=\frac{1}{e^{\ln x}}=\frac{1}{x}\).

Using this result and applying the chain rule to \(h(x)=\ln (g(x))\) yields

\(h′(x)=\frac{1}{g(x)}g′(x)\).

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The graph of \(y=lnx\) and its derivative \(\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{1}{x}\) are shown in Figure.

Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): The function \(y=\ln x\) is increasing on \((0,+∞)\). Its derivative \(y'=\frac{1}{x}\) is greater than zero on \((0,+∞)\)

Example \(\PageIndex{1}\):Taking a Derivative of a Natural Logarithm

Find the derivative of \(f(x)=\ln (x^3+3x−4)\).

Solution

Use Equation directly.

\(f′(x)=\frac{1}{x^3+3x−4}⋅(3x^2+3)\) Use \(g(x)=x^3+3x−4\) in \(h′(x)=\frac{1}{g(x)}g′(x)\).

\(=\frac{3x^2+3}{x^3+3x−4}\) Rewrite.

Example \(\PageIndex{2}\):Using Properties of Logarithms in a Derivative

Find the derivative of \(f(x)=\ln (\frac{x^2\sin x}{2x+1})\).

Solution

At first glance, taking this derivative appears rather complicated. However, by using the properties of logarithms prior to finding the derivative, we can make the problem much simpler.

\(f(x)=\ln (\frac{x^2\sin x}{2x+1})=2\ln x+\ln (\sin x)−\ln (2x+1)\) Apply properties of logarithms.

\(f′(x)=\frac{2}{x}+\cot x−\frac{2}{2x+1}\) Apply sum rule and \(h′(x)=\frac{1}{g(x)}g′(x)\).

Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Differentiate: \(f(x)=\ln (3x+2)^5\).

Hint: Use a property of logarithms to simplify before taking the derivative.

Answer: \(f′(x)=\frac{15}{3x+2}\)

Now that we can differentiate the natural logarithmic function, we can use this result to find the derivatives of \(y=log_bx\) and \(y=b^x\) for \(b>0,b≠1\).

Derivatives of General Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Let \(b>0,b≠1,\) and let \(g(x)\) be a differentiable function.

i. If, \(y=log_bx\), then

\(\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{1}{x\ln b}\).

More generally, if \(h(x)=log_b(g(x))\), then for all values of x for which \(g(x)>0\),

\(h′(x)=\frac{g′(x)}{g(x)\ln b}\).

ii. If \(y=b^x,\) then

\(\frac{dy}{dx}=b^x\ln b\).

More generally, if \(h(x)=b^{g(x)},\) then

\(h′(x)=b^{g(x)}g''(x)\ln b\)

Proof

If \(y=log_bx,\) then \(b^y=x.\) It follows that \(\ln (b^y)=\ln x\). Thus \(y\ln b=\ln x\). Solving for \(y\), we have \(y=\frac{\ln x}{\ln b}\). Differentiating and keeping in mind that \(\ln b\) is a constant, we see that

\(\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{1}{x\ln b}\).

The derivative in Equation now follows from the chain rule.

If \(y=b^x\). then \(\ln y=x\ln b.\) Using implicit differentiation, again keeping in mind that \(\ln b\) is constant, it follows that \(\frac{1}{y}\frac{dy}{dx}=\ln b\). Solving for \(\frac{dy}{dx}\) and substituting \(y=b^x\), we see that

\(\frac{dy}{dx}=y\ln b=b^x\ln b\).

The more general derivative (Equation) follows from the chain rule.

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Example \(\PageIndex{3}\):Applying Derivative Formulas

Find the derivative of \(h(x)=\frac{3^x}{3^x+2}\).

Solution

Use the quotient rule and Note.

\(h′(x)=\frac{3^x\ln 3(3^x+2)−3^x\ln 3(3^x)}{(3^x+2)^2}\) Apply the quotient rule.

\(=\frac{2⋅3^x\ln 3}{(3x+2)^2}\) Simplify.

Example \(\PageIndex{4}\): Finding the Slope of a Tangent Line

Find the slope of the line tangent to the graph of \(y=log_2(3x+1)\) at \(x=1\).

Solution

To find the slope, we must evaluate \(\frac{dy}{dx}\) at \(x=1\). Using Equation, we see that

\(\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{3}{\ln 2(3x+1)}\).

By evaluating the derivative at \(x=1\), we see that the tangent line has slope

\(\frac{dy}{dx}∣_{x=1}=\frac{3}{4\ln 2}=\frac{3}{\ln16}\).

Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\)

Find the slope for the line tangent to \(y=3^x\) at \(x=2.\)

Hint: Evaluate the derivative at \(x=2.\)

Answer: \(9\ln (3)\)

Logarithmic Differentiation

At this point, we can take derivatives of functions of the form \(y=(g(x))^n\) for certain values of \(n\), as well as functions of the form \(y=b^{g(x)}\), where \(b>0\) and \(b≠1\). Unfortunately, we still do not know the derivatives of functions such as \(y=x^x\) or \(y=x^π\). These functions require a technique called logarithmic differentiation, which allows us to differentiate any function of the form \(h(x)=g(x)^{f(x)}\). It can also be used to convert a very complex differentiation problem into a simpler one, such as finding the derivative of \(y=\frac{x\sqrt{2x+1}}{e^x\sin ^3x}\). We outline this technique in the following problem-solving strategy.

Problem-Solving Strategy: Using Logarithmic Differentiation

To differentiate \(y=h(x)\) using logarithmic differentiation, take the natural logarithm of both sides of the equation to obtain \(\ln y=\ln (h(x)).\)
Use properties of logarithms to expand \(\ln (h(x))\) as much as possible.
Differentiate both sides of the equation. On the left we will have \(\frac{1}{y}\frac{dy}{dx}\).
Multiply both sides of the equation by \(y\) to solve for \(\frac{dy}{dx}\).
Replace \(y\) by \(h(x)\).

Example \(\PageIndex{5}\): Using Logarithmic Differentiation

Find the derivative of \(y=(2x^4+1)^{\tan x}\).

Solution

Use logarithmic differentiation to find this derivative.

\(\ln y=\ln (2x^4+1)^{\tan x}\) Step 1. Take the natural logarithm of both sides.

\(\ln y=\tan x\ln (2x^4+1)\) Step 2. Expand using properties of logarithms.

\(\frac{1}{y}\frac{dy}{dx}=\sec ^2x\ln (2x^4+1)+\frac{8x^3}{2x^4+1}⋅\tan x\) Step 3. Differentiate both sides. Use theproduct rule on the right.

\(\frac{dy}{dx}=y⋅(\sec ^2x\ln (2x4+1)+\frac{8x^3}{2x^4+1}⋅\tan x)\) Step 4. Multiply byyon both sides.

\(\frac{dy}{dx}=(2x^4+1)^{\tan x}(\sec ^2x\ln (2x^4+1)+\frac{8x^3}{2x^4+1}⋅\tan x)\) Step 5. Substitute \(y=(2x^4+1)^{\tan x}\).

Example \(\PageIndex{6}\): Extending the Power Rule

Find the derivative of \(y=\frac{x\sqrt{2x+1}}{e^x\sin ^3x}\).

Solution

This problem really makes use of the properties of logarithms and the differentiation rules given in this chapter.

\(\ln y=\ln \frac{x\sqrt{2x+1}}{e^x\sin ^3x}\)	Step 1. Take the natural logarithm of both sides.
\(\ln y=\ln x+\frac{1}{2}ln(2x+1)−x\ln e−3\ln \sin x\)	Step 2. Expand using properties of logarithms.
\(\frac{1}{y}\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{2x+1}−1−3\frac{\cos x}{\sin x}\)	Step 3. Differentiate both sides.
\(\frac{dy}{dx}=y(\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{2x+1}−1−3\cot x)\)	Step 4. Multiply by \(y\) on both sides.
\(\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{x\sqrt{2x+1}}{e^x\sin ^3x}(\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{2x+1}−1−3\cot x)\)	Step 5. Substitute \(y=\frac{x\sqrt{2x+1}}{e^x\sin ^3x}.\)

Exercise \(\PageIndex{3}\)

Use logarithmic differentiation to find the derivative of \(y=x^x\).

Hint: Follow the problem solving strategy.

Answer: Solution: \(\frac{dy}{dx}=x^x(1+\ln x)\)

Exercise \(\PageIndex{4}\)

Find the derivative of \(y=(\tan x)^π\).

Hint: Use the result from Example.

Answer: \(y′=π(\tan x)^{π−1}\sec ^2x\)

Key Concepts

On the basis of the assumption that the exponential function \(y=b^x,b>0\) is continuous everywhere and differentiable at 0, this function is differentiable everywhere and there is a formula for its derivative.
We can use a formula to find the derivative of \(y=\ln x\), and the relationship \(log_bx=\frac{\ln x}{\ln b}\) allows us to extend our differentiation formulas to include logarithms with arbitrary bases.
Logarithmic differentiation allows us to differentiate functions of the form \(y=g(x)^{f(x)}\) or very complex functions by taking the natural logarithm of both sides and exploiting the properties of logarithms before differentiating.

Key Equations

Derivative of the natural exponential function

\(\frac{d}{dx}(e^{g(x)})=e^{g(x)}g′(x)\)

Derivative of the natural logarithmic function

\(\frac{d}{dx}(\ln g(x))=\frac{1}{g(x)}g′(x)\)

Derivative of the general exponential function

\(\frac{d}{dx}(b^{g(x)})=b^{g(x)}g′(x)\ln b\)

Derivative of the general logarithmic function

\(\frac{d}{dx}(log_bg(x))=\frac{g′(x)}{g(x)\ln b}\)

Glossary

logarithmic differentiation: is a technique that allows us to differentiate a function by first taking the natural logarithm of both sides of an equation, applying properties of logarithms to simplify the equation, and differentiating implicitly

Contributors

Gilbert Strang (MIT) and Edwin “Jed” Herman (Harvey Mudd) with many contributing authors. This content by OpenStax is licensed with a CC-BY-SA-NC 4.0 license. Download for free at http://cnx.org.