5.

4 Exponential Functions: Differentiation and Integration

Definition of the Natural Exponential Function – The inverse function of the natural logarithmic function
f  x   ln x is called the natural exponential function and is denoted by f 1  x   e x . That is, y  e x if
and only if x  ln y .

Properties of the Natural Exponential Function:

1. The domain of f  x   e x is  ,   , and the range is  0,   .

2. The function f  x   e x is continuous, increasing, and one-to-one on its entire domain.

3. The graph of f  x   e x is concave upward on its entire domain.

4. lim x e x  0 and lim x e x  

Operations with Exponential Functions – Let a and b be any real numbers.

a b ea
1. e e  e
a b
2.  e a b
eb

Examples: Solve for x accurate to three decimal places.

 12 2. 6  3e  8 3. ln 4 x  1
ln 2 x x
1. e

Derivatives of Natural Exponential Functions – Let u be a differentiable function of x.

d x d u du
1. e   e x 2. e   eu  u ' eu
dx   dx dx
Examples: Find the derivative.

5x
1. y  e
2
2. y  e x

x x
3. y  xe 4. y  x e
x

e x  e x
5. y  6. y  ln e
x

Examples: Find the equation of the tangent line to the graph of the function at the given point.

1. y  e2 x  x ,  2,1
2
 2. f  x   e3 ln x, 1, 0

Example: Use implicit differentiation to find dy/dx given e  x  y  10 .

xy 2 2

Example: Find the second derivative of g  x   x  e x ln x

Integration Rules for Exponential Functions – Let u be a differentiable function of x.

 e dx  e C  e du  e C
x x u u
1. 2.
Examples: Find the indefinite integral.

 e  4 x  dx
 x4 3
1.

 e e  1 dx
2
x x
2.

e2 x  2e x  1
3.  e x dx

Examples: Evaluate the definite integral.

4
1. 3
e3 x dx

1ex
2. 0 5  e x dx