Mathematics 1A: Calculus- Differentiation 2

N.Ally

July 27, 2020

1 Logarithmic Differentiation
This is a technique that is used when the complex term to be differentiated IS NOT PRECEEDED BY a
logarithm (log or ln).
Logarithms are then introduced, followed by the use of log laws that split the function into separate
differentiable terms.Terminology and syntax play an important role.
The following notes will assist in correctly applying this technique.
Notes and Basic skills:
dy dy
1. The derivative of y is dx , therefore the derivative of y 2 is 2y dx .
1 dy
2. The derivative of lny is y dx
3. Method: Step 1 - Introduce ’ln’ on both sides of the equation.
Step 2 - Apply log laws generating separate terms.
Step 3 - Differentiate both sides of the equation.
Step 4 - Multiply by the original term, y.
Step 5 - Simplify where possible.

dy
Example: 1. Find dx if y = 8cos3 3x.e7x (6x − 10)4
The product rule will need to be applied multiple times to arrive at an answer. Rather use ’logarithmic
differentiation’.
Solution- Step 1 - Identify the number of factors in the term. N.B. Treat any constant separately. In this
example the function is composed of four factors, viz. 8, cos3 3x, e7x and (6x − 10)4
Step 2 - Introduce logs or ln on both sides of the equation. Thus,

lny = ln[8(cos3x)3 .e7x (6x − 10)4 ]

Step 3 - Use log laws on RHS

lny = ln8 + 3ln(cos3x) + 7xlne + 4ln(6x − 10)

lny = ln8 + 3ln(cos3x) + 7x + 4ln(6x − 10) (lne = 1)

Step 4 - Differentiate LHS and RHS:
 
1 dy 1 1
= 0 + 3( ).(−sin3x).(3) + 7 + 4 .(6)
y dx cos3x 6x − 10
 
1 dy sin3x 24
= −9 +7+
y dx cos3x 6x − 10
Step 5 - Multiply by y and simplify where possible
 
dy 12
= y −9.tan3x + 7 +
dx 3x − 5

1
  
dy  3 7x 4
 12
= 8cos 3x.e (6x − 10) −9.tan3x + 7 +
dx 3x − 5
where y is replaced by the original function.

dy 3x
2. Find dx if y = √1−xe2 . cot(−6x+10)
. sin 8x

Solution: Introduce logs on both sides:

e3x . sin 8x
 
ln y = ln √
1 − x2 . cot(−6x + 10)
Now use log laws
1
ln y = 3x + ln(sin 8x) − ln(1 − x2 ) − ln cot(−6x + 10) (N.B. ln e3x = 3x)
2
Now differentiate both sides:

1 dy 8 cos 8x 1 (−2x) −cosec2 (−6x + 10).(−6)

=3+ − −
y dx sin 8x 2 (1 − x2 ) cot(−6x + 10)

6cosec2 (−6x + 10).

 
dy x
= y 3 + 8 cot 8x + −
dx 1 − x2 cot(−6x + 10)

dy
3. Find if y = xsin x
dx
Soltn: y = xsin x
ln y = ln xsin x Use log law 3
ln y = (sin x).(ln x)
Now differentiate. Product rule on RHS

1 dy
y dx = sin x( x1 ) + ln x. cos x
dy  sin x  sin x sin x + ln x. cos x
 
dx = y x + ln x. cos x = x x
Exercises: 3√
dy x 4 x2 +1
1. Use logarithmic Differentiation to find dx if y= (3x+2)5
h i
3
Answer: y 4x + x2x+1 − 3x+2
15

√
2. Find y 0 if y = x x
√ h i
Answer: x x 2+lnx √
2 x
√
t ln t4 , find f 0 (t)
3. If f (t) =
√ h
1 1
i
Answer: t ln t4 2t + 2+lnt