Unit 5 – Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions Date:_________________

Learning Goals Stop Light – Unit #5 Derivatives of Exponential and

Logarithmic Functions

Green Yellow Red

Lesson Learning Goals “I am able to…”

apply rate of change to the number e

5.1

recognize the natural logarithmic function

5.2

apply the derivative of the exponential function

5.3

apply differentiation rules for exponentials

5.4

Extra Day

make connections to exponential models

5.5

Review (Pick/choose, graphic organizer, online practice test)

Pg 244 #1 – 11, Pg 246 #1 – 17
Pg 294 #1 – 16, Pg #1 - 16

Unit 5 Test

MCV4U – Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors Page 1

Unit 5 – Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions Date:_________________

5.1 Rate of Change and the Number e

Leonhard Euler (1707-1783) was a remarkable Swiss mathematician and physicist. He made massive
contributions to mathematics, especially calculus, as well as physics, optics, magnetism, astronomy, and
shipbuilding. Euler popularized the use of the symbol π and developed new approximations for it. He was
the first to use the symbol i to represent imaginary numbers.

Euler also developed the irrational number e, which is known as Euler's number and is defined as a limit:

𝟏 𝒙
𝒆 = 𝐥𝐢𝐦 (𝟏 + )
𝒙→∞ 𝒙
Euler's Number e:
To better understand the value of this limit, let's examine some integer values of x to see the limiting
value of this expression, which is the value of e approximated to a few decimal places.

1 𝑥
x 𝑦 = (1 + )
𝑥
1 1
1 (1 + ) ; = 2
1
1 2
2 (1 + ) ; = 2.25
2
1 3
3 (1 + ) ; ≈ 2.3704
3
101 100
100 ( ) ; ≈ 2.7048
100
10001 10000
10 000 ( ) ; ≈ 2.7181
10000

The limiting value of this expression is the irrational number e =2.718281828459…, a non-terminating
decimal.

Exponential Functions with Base e

OK, so now that we know what Euler's number is, let's look at exponential functions with base e.

Recall the graph of the basic exponential function 𝑦 = 2𝑥 . This expression

 has a horizontal asymptote in the line ______,

 has a y-intercept is ____,
 starts very close to the x-axis on the _______ side of the grid, and
 exponentially increases as we move towards the _________.

Since Euler's number is between 2 and 3, let's compare the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥
with the graphs of 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥 and ℎ(𝑥) = 3𝑥 .

We see that these three functions are very similar in their behavior and that the
graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 is in between the graphs of 𝑔(𝑥) = 2𝑥 , and ℎ(𝑥) = 3𝑥 .

Since e is roughly 2.7, of course, the graph of 𝑒 𝑥 will be slightly closer to the
graph of 3𝑥 .

MCV4U – Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors Page 2

Unit 5 – Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions Date:_________________

Now, let's zoom in on the graphs of 2𝑥 , 𝑒 𝑥 ,

It is worth noting that the slope of the tangent line
and 3𝑥 when x = 0. Let's carefully examine the
to 2𝑥 is less than 1, while the slope of the tangent
slope of the tangent to each of these graphs at
line to 3𝑥 is greater than 1.
x = 0.

When we look at the slope of the tangent for the exponential function with Euler's number e as its base,
the slope of the tangent is exactly 1 at x = 0. Moreover, Euler's number, e, is the base needed to make the
exponential function have exactly a slope of 1 at x = 0. This is a very important property of an exponential
function with base e.

The Derivative of ex

From a previous activity in 4.1, open up https://www.desmos.com/calculator/4pf1dxxzq2 but edit the

function below and notice the tangents and the derivative to 𝑒 𝑥 .

The derivative to 𝑒 𝑥 is:

You should also explore 2𝑥 and other exponentials.

Read Key Concepts Pg 256, C1 – C4

Pick/choose: #1 – 9
MCV4U – Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors Page 3
Unit 5 – Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions Date:_________________

5.2 The Natural Logarithm

The Inverse of the Exponential Function, 𝒆𝒙

Recall that the inverse of an exponential function is the logarithmic function with the same base.

For example, the inverse of the exponential function 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 is 𝑓 −1 (𝑥) = log2 𝑥

The inverse of the exponential function 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 is 𝑔−1 (𝑥) = log𝑒 𝑥 𝑜𝑟 ln 𝑥

Rather than using 𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 𝑥 mathematicians use ln 𝑥 to shorten this expression. ln 𝑥 stands for
the natural logarithm of x and is pronounced “lawn x.”

The Graphs of the Exponential Function 𝒚 = 𝒆𝒙 and the Logarithmic Function 𝒚 = 𝐥𝐧 𝒙

Recall that the graph of an inverse function is the function reflected in the line y = x.

Recall:

Change of Base Solving for Exponential Solving for 𝒆𝒙

Functions
log ln 𝑒 𝑥 = 𝑥
log 2 𝑥 = 𝑦 = 5𝑥
log
(power law for logs)
log
𝑥=
log 𝑒 ln 𝑥 =

For a look at Inverse functions:

https://www.desmos.com/calculator/4sogeh3ql1

Read Key Concepts Pg 265, C1 – C4

Pick/choose: #1 – 10, 13, 14
MCV4U – Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors Page 4
Unit 5 – Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions Date:_________________

5.3 Derivatives of Exponentials Functions

From a previous activity in 5.1, open up https://www.desmos.com/calculator/4pf1dxxzq2 but edit the
function below and notice the tangents and the derivative to 2𝑥 .

You should notice that the derivative to 2𝑥 is a similar version that has transformations applied to it.

The Derivative of Exponential Functions: 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝒂𝒙

If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎 𝑥 , where a is a positive constant, then 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑎 𝑥 ln 𝑎 for all real x.

Note:

The general form for the derivative of any exponential function will work if a = e.

If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 , then the general form will give 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 ln 𝑒 and since ln 𝑒 = 1, we have 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 .

Examples - differentiate

a) 𝑦 = 3𝑥 b) 𝑓(𝑥) = (4𝑥 )(5𝑥 )

Read Key Concepts Pg 274, C1 – C4

Pick/choose: #1, 3, 5 – 8, 12, 14, 16
MCV4U – Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors Page 5
Unit 5 – Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions Date:_________________

5.4 Differentiation Rules for Exponential Functions

Examples 1: Differentiate and simplify
𝑥
a) 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 𝑒 𝑥 b) 𝑦 = 𝑒 2 c) 𝑦 = 𝑒 −𝑥

Derivative of a Composite Function Involving 𝒆𝒙 :

If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑔(𝑥) , then:

Practice
2 −4𝑥
a) 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 −3𝑥 b) 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 c) ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑥𝑒 −2𝑥

1
− 2 2 +1
d) 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑥 e) 𝑦 = 𝑒 √𝑥

Examples 2: Differentiate and simplify

a) 𝑦 = 3𝑥 b) 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 2𝑥 c) 𝑦 = (4𝑥 + 𝑥 4 )3

3 𝑥 −𝑥 2
d) 𝑦 = 2−𝑥 e) 𝑦 = 10√𝑒

MCV4U – Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors Page 6

Unit 5 – Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions Date:_________________
Example 3: Find the equation of the tangent line to the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥(2 −𝑥 )
at (0, 0)

2
Example 4: Find the local extrema for: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 𝑒 −𝑥

-1 0 1
f’(x)
f(x)

2
Practice: Find the points of inflection for 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 −𝑥

f’’(x)
f(x)

Example 5: Find the global extrema for 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 10−𝑥 over [-1,2]

Read Key Concepts Pg 282, C1 – C4

Pick/choose: #2bdfg, 3ac, 4, 5, 7 - 14

MCV4U – Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors Page 7

Unit 5 – Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions Date:_________________

5.5 Making Connections: Exponential Models

Exponential functions and their derivatives are important modelling tools for a variety of fields of study,
such as nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, electronics, biology, and environmental science.
Exponential models can be represented in different ways. The choice of representation can depend on the
nature of the problem being solved.

Example 1

A student's success in a course depends on how many hours the student studies.

Suppose that Jenny is studying for an exam and because of the nature of the course, the effectiveness of
𝑡
studying can be measured on a scale from 0 to 10 using the formula 𝐸(𝑡) = 0.6(8 + 𝑡𝑒 −15 ) where t is the
number of hours spent studying. If Jenny has up to 20 hours for studying, how many hours should be spent
to maximize effectiveness?

Example 2

The vertical displacement of the body of a car after driving over a speed bump is modelled by the
function ℎ(𝑡) = 𝑒 −.4𝑡 sin 𝑡 where h is measured in meters and t ≥ 0 is measured in seconds.
At t = 0, just as the car is about to pass over the speed bump, we have h(0) = 0, which corresponds to the
resting height of the body of the car.
So, if at some time t, h(t) > 0, then the car's body is higher than its resting height at time t, and if
h(t) < 0 then it is lower than its resting height.
Determine when the maximum vertical displacement occurs and find this maximum displacement.

Read Key Concepts Pg 289, C1 – C4

Pick/choose: #1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 13
MCV4U – Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors Page 8
Unit 5 – Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithmic Functions Date:_________________

Optimization Problems Involving Exponential & Trigonometric Functions

1. Suppose that the monthly revenue in thousands of dollars, for the sales of x hundred units of an
electronic item is given by the following function, where the maximum capacity of the plant is 800
units. Determine the number of units to produce in order to maximize revenue.

𝑅(𝑥) = 40𝑥 2 𝑒 −0.4𝑥 + 30

[500 units]
2. A rumour spreads through a population in such a way that 𝑡 hours after the rumour starts, the
percent of people involved in passing it on is given by the following function. What is the highest
percent of people involved in 𝑡 spreading the rumour within the first 3 hours? When does this occur?

𝑃(𝑥) = 100(𝑒 −𝑡 − 𝑒 −4𝑡 )

[47.2%, 0.462h]
3. A piston in an engine oscillates up and down from a rest position. The motion of this piston can be
approximated by the following function, where 𝑡 is the time, in seconds, and ℎ is the displacement
of the piston head from rest position, in metres, at time 𝑡.

ℎ(𝑡) = 0.05 cos(13𝑡)

a) Determine an equation for the velocity of the piston head as a function of time.
b) Find the maximum and minimum velocities and the times at which they occur.
(4𝑘−1) (4𝑘+3)
[Max: 0.65𝑚/𝑠 at time 𝑡 = { 26
𝜋, 𝑘 ∈ ℤ, 𝑘 > 0}, Min: −0.65𝑚/𝑠 at time 𝑡 = { 26
𝜋, 𝑘 ∈ ℤ, 𝑘 > 0}

4. A pendulum is an example of a harmonic oscillator, which is a moving object whose motion repeats
over regular time intervals. When the amplitude of a harmonic oscillator diminishes over time due
to fiction, the motion is called damped harmonic motion. The vertical displacement of a sport
utility vehicle’s body after passing over a bump is modelled by the following function, where h is
the vertical displacement, in metres, at time t, in seconds.

ℎ(𝑡) = 𝑒 −0.5𝑡 sin 𝑡

a) Determine when the maximum displacement of the sport utility vehicle’s body occurs.
b) Determine the maximum displacement.
[𝑡 = 1.1𝑠𝑒𝑐 & ℎ(1.1) = 0.5142𝑚]

5. After Lee gives his little sister Kara a big push on a swing, her horizontal position as a function of
time is given by the following equation, where 𝑥(𝑡) is her horizontal displacement, in metres, from
the lowest point of her swing, as a function time, 𝑡, in seconds.

𝑥(𝑡) = 3 cos 𝑡 (𝑒 −0.05𝑡 )

a) From what horizontal distance from the bottom of Kara’s swing did Lee push his sister?
[3𝑚]
b) Determine the greatest speed Kara will reach and when this occurs.
[2.8𝑚/𝑠]
c) How long will it take for Kara’s maximum horizontal displacement at the top of her swing arc to
diminish to 1m? After how many swings will this occur?
[3.5 𝑠𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠]

MCV4U – Grade 12 Calculus and Vectors Page 9