Solved Problems

Differential Calculus
SOS Math

LOGARITHMIC DIFFERENTIATION

The following problems illustrate the process of logarithmic differentiation. It is a means of

differentiating algebraically complicated functions or functions for which the ordinary rules
of differentiation do not apply. For example, in the problems that follow, you will be asked to
differentiate expressions where a variable is raised to a variable power. An example and two
COMMON INCORRECT SOLUTIONS are :
1.) D { x } = (2 x +3 ) x (2 x +3)−1 = ( 2 x+3 ) x ( 2 x +2)
( 2 x+3 )

and
2.) D { x } = x ( 2 x +3 ) (2) ln x
( 2 x+3 )

BOTH OF THESE SOLUTIONS ARE WRONG because the ordinary rules of differentiation
do not apply. Logarithmic differentiation will provide a way to differentiate a function of this
type. It requires deft algebra skills and careful use of the following unpopular, but well-
known, properties of logarithms. Though the following properties and methods are true for a
logarithm of any base, only the natural logarithm (base e), ln, will be used in this problem set.

PROPERTIES OF THE NATURAL LOGARITHM

1. ln 1 = 0
2. ln e = 1
3. ln ex = x
4. ln yx = x ln y
5. ln (xy) = ln x + ln y
6. ln (x/y) = ln x – ln y

AVOID THE FOLLOWING LIST OF COMMON MISTAKES

1. ln (x + y) = ln x + ln y
2. ln (x – y) = ln x – ln y
3. ln (xy) = ln x ln y
4. ln (x/y) = ln x/ln y
5. ln x / ln y = ln x – ln y

The following problems range in difficulty from average to challenging.

PROBLEM 1: Differentiate y = xx.

SOLUTION 1:
Because a variable is raised to a variable power in this function, the ordinary rules of
differentiation DO NOT APPLY! The function must first be revised before a derivative can
be taken. Begin with

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 Solved Problems
Differential Calculus
SOS Math

y = xx

Apply the natural logarithm to both sides of this equation getting

ln y = ln x x
¿ x ln x
Differentiate both sides of this equation. The left-hand side requires the chain rule since y
represents a function of x. Use the product rule on the right-hand side. Thus, beginning with

ln y = x ln x

1 1
y ' = x + (1) ln x
y x
= 1 + ln x
y ' = y ( 1+ln x ) = x x ( 1+ln x )
x
y = xe
PROBLEM 2: Differentiate

SOLUTION 2:
Because a variable is raised to a variable power in this function, the ordinary rules of
differentiation DO NOT APPLY! The function must first be revised before a derivative can
be taken. Begin with
x
y = xe
Apply the natural logarithm to both sides of this equation getting
x
ln y = ln x e
= e x ln x
Differentiate both sides of this equation. The left-hand side requires the chain rule since y
represents a function of x. Use the product rule on the right-hand side. Thus, beginning with

y = e x ln x
and differentiating, we get
1
y {}
1
y ' = e x + e x ln x
x
x
e x
¿ + e x ln x
x x
x x
e +xe ln x
¿
x
e x (1+x ln x )
¿
x

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 Solved Problems
Differential Calculus
SOS Math

Multiply both sides of this equation by y, getting

e x ( 1+ x ln x )
y' = y
x
x
x e ( 1+ x ln x )
¿ xe
x
( e x −1) x
=x e ( 1+ x ln x )

PROBLEM 3: Differentiate y = (3x2+5)1/x

SOLUTION 3:
Because a variable is raised to a variable power in this function, the ordinary rules of
differentiation DO NOT APPLY! The function must first be revised before a derivative can
be taken. Begin with

y = (3x2+5)1/x

Apply the natural logarithm to both sides of this equation getting

1/x
ln y = ln ( 3 x 2 +5 )
1
¿ ln ( 3 x 2 +5 )
x
ln ( 3 x 2 +5 )
¿
x

Differentiate both sides of this equation. The left-hand side requires the chain rule since y
represents a function of x. Use the quotient rule and the chain rule on the right-hand side.
Thus, beginning with

ln ( 3 x 2 +5 )
ln y =
x
and differentiating, we get

1
y'=
x
{ 1
2
3 x +5 }
(6 x ) − ln ( 3 x +5 ) (1)
2

y x2

Get a common denominator and combine fractions in the numerator.

=
6 x2
3 x 2+ 5
− ln ( 3 x 2
+5 ) {
3 x2+ 5
3 x2+ 5 }
x2
6 x 2 −( 3 x 2 +5 ) ln ( 3 x 2 +5 ) 1
¿
3 x 2 +5 x2

Multiply both sides of this equation by y, getting

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 Solved Problems
Differential Calculus
SOS Math

6 x2 −( 3 x 2 +5 ) ln ( 3 x 2 + 5 )
y' = y
x 2 ( 3 x2+ 5 )
1/ x 6 x −( 3 x +5 ) ln ( 3 x +5 )
2 2 2
¿ ( 3 x 2 +5 )
x 2 ( 3 x 2 +5 )

Combine the powers of (3x2+5)

( 3 x 2 +5 )( 1/x − 1 ) { 6 x 2 −( 3 x 2 +5 ) ln ( 3 x 2 +5 ) }
y '=
x2
3
y = ( sin x )x
PROBLEM 4: Differentiate

SOLUTION 4:
Because a variable is raised to a variable power in this function, the ordinary rules of
differentiation DO NOT APPLY! The function must first be revised before a derivative can
be taken. Begin with
x3
y = ( sin x )

Apply the natural logarithm to both sides of this equation getting

ln y = x 3 ln(sin x)
Differentiate both sides of this equation. The left-hand side requires the chain rule since y
represents a function of x . Use the product rule and the chain rule on the right-hand side.
3
Thus, beginning with ln y = x ln(sin x)

and differentiating, we get

1
y
y ' = x3
1
{ }
sin x
cos x + ( 3x 2 ) ln(sin x)

x cos x+3x 2 sin x ln(sin x )

3
¿
sin x

Multiply both sides of this equation by y, getting

x 3 cos x +3 x 2 sin x ln(sin x )
y' = y
sin x
3 2
x3 x cos x+3 x sin x ln(sin x )
= ( sin x )
sin x
Combine the powers of sin x.
3
y ' = ( sin x )( x −1) { x 3 cos x+3 x 2 sin x ln (sin x)}

x/2
PROBLEM 5: Differentiate y = 7 x ( cos x )
SOLUTION 5:

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 Solved Problems
Differential Calculus
SOS Math

Because a variable is raised to a variable power in this function, the ordinary rules of
differentiation DO NOT APPLY! The function must first be revised before a derivative can
be taken. Begin with
y = 7 x ( cos x )x/2

Apply the natural logarithm to both sides of this equation and use the algebraic properties of
logarithms, getting

ln y = ln {(7 x )(cos x )x /2 }
¿ ln(7 x ) + ln(cos x ) x /2
¿ ln (7 x ) + ( x /2 ) ln(cos x )

Differentiate both sides of this equation. The left-hand side requires the chain rule since y
represents a function of x. Use the product rule and the chain rule on the right-hand side.
Thus, beginning with

ln y = ln (7 x) + (x /2) ln(cos x )

and differentiating, we get

1
y
y'=
1
7x{ }7 + ( x/2)
1
( )
cos x
(−sin x ) + (1/2) ln(cos x)

1 x sin x ln (cos x )
= − +
x 2 cos x 2

Get a common denominator and combine fractions on the right-hand side.

2 cos x − x 2 sin x + x cos x ln (cos x)
=
2 x cos x

Multiply both sides of this equation by y, divide out a factor of x , combine the powers of (cos
x), we get

2 cos x − x 2 sin x + x cos x ln(cos x )

y' =y
2 x cos x
2
x/2 2 cos x − x sin x + x cos x ln (cos x)
¿ 7 x(cos x )
2 x cos x
7
¿ (cos x)
( x/2 − 1 )
{2 cos x − x 2 sin x + x cos x ln(cos x)}
2
√
2
y = x√ x ex
PROBLEM 6: Differentiate

SOLUTION 6:

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 Solved Problems
Differential Calculus
SOS Math

Because a variable is raised to a variable power in this function, the ordinary rules of
differentiation DO NOT APPLY! The function must first be revised before a derivative can
be taken. Begin with
y = √ x√ x ex
2

Apply the natural logarithm to both sides of this equation and use the algebraic properties of
logarithms, getting

ln y = ln ( √ x √ x e x )
2

= ln (√ x √ x ) + ln ( e x )
2

= √ x ln( √ x) + x2 ln e
ln y = √ x ln( √ x) + x
2

Differentiate both sides of this equation. The left-hand side requires the chain rule since y
represents a function of x. Use the product rule and the chain rule on the right-hand side.
Thus, beginning with

ln y = √ x ln( √ x) + x 2

and differentiating, we get

1
y
y ' = √x( )
1
2√ x
x−1/2 + (1/2) x−1/2 ln( √ x) + 2 x

1 ln ( √ x)
¿ + +2 x
2 √ x 2 √x
1+ln( √ x ) + 4 x 3 /2
¿
2√x
Multiply both sides of this equation by y and combine the powers of √ x , we

1+ln( √ x ) + 4 x 3/2
y' =y
2√ x
x x 2 1+ ln( √ x ) + 4 x
3 /2
¿ √x e √
2√x
1 ( √ x−1) x 2
= √x e {1+ln( √ x ) + 4 x }
3 /2
2
y = x ln x (sec x)3 x
PROBLEM 7: Differentiate

SOLUTION 7:

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 Solved Problems
Differential Calculus
SOS Math

Because a variable is raised to a variable power in this function, the ordinary rules of
differentiation DO NOT APPLY! The function must first be revised before a derivative can
be taken. Begin with
y = x ln x (sec x)3 x

Apply the natural logarithm to both sides of this equation and use the algebraic properties of
logarithms, getting

ln y = ln ( x ln x (sec x )3 x )
¿ ln x ( ln x ) + ln(sec x )3 x
¿ (ln x )(ln x ) + 3 x ln(sec x )
ln y = (ln x )2 + 3 x ln (sec x )

Differentiate both sides of this equation. The left-hand side requires the chain rule since y
represents a function of x. Use the product rule and the chain rule on the right-hand side.
Thus, beginning with

ln y = (ln x)2 + 3x ln (sec x)

and differentiating, we get

1
y () ( )
1
y ' = 2 ( ln x ) + 3 x
x
1
sec x
( sec x tan x ) + (3 )ln(sec x )
2 ln x
= + 3 x tan x + 3 ln(sec x)
x
2 ln x + 3 x 2 tan x + 3 x ln(sec x )
=
x
Multiply both sides of this equation by y, getting
2 ln x + 3 x 2 tan x + 3 x ln(sec x)
y' =y
x
2 ln x + 3 x 2 tan x + 3 x ln(sec x )
¿ x ln x (sec x )3 x
x
y' = x
( ln x − 1 )
( sec x )3 x {2 ln x + 3 x2 tan x + 3 x ln(sec x)}
( ln x ) x
y = 3 x +1
2
PROBLEM 8: Differentiate

SOLUTION 8:
Because a variable is raised to a variable power in this function, the ordinary rules of
differentiation DO NOT APPLY! The function must first be revised before a derivative can
be taken. Begin with

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 Solved Problems
Differential Calculus
SOS Math

( ln x ) x
y=
23 x +1 .

Apply the natural logarithm to both sides of this equation and use the algebraic properties of
logarithms, getting

ln y = ln { }
( ln x )x
23 x +1
( )
¿ ln ( ln x ) x − ln 2 3 x +1
¿ x ln ( ln x ) − ( 3 x +1 ) ln 2

Differentiate both sides of this equation. The left-hand side requires the chain rule since y
represents a function of x. Use the product rule and the chain rule on the right-hand side.
Thus, beginning with

ln y= x ln ( ln x ) − ( 3 x+1 ) ln2

and differentiating, we get

1
y
y'= x
1
( )( )
ln x x
1
+ ( 1 ) ln ( ln x ) − ( 3 ) ln 2

1
= + ln ( ln x ) − ln23
ln x
1 + ( ln x ) ln ( ln x ) − ( ln8 ) ln x
¿
ln x

Multiply both sides of this equation by y, getting

1 + ( ln x ) ln ( ln x ) − ( ln 8 ) ln x
y' =y
ln x
( ln x )x 1 + ( ln x ) ln ( ln x ) − ( ln 8 ) ln x
= 3 x +1
2 ln x
( ln x )( x−1 ) { 1 + ( ln x ) ln ( ln x ) − ( ln 8 ) ln x }
¿ 3 x +1
2

x 2 x ( x−1 )3
y= 4
PROBLEM 9: Differentiate ( 3+5 x )
SOLUTION 9:
Because a variable is raised to a variable power in this function, the ordinary rules of
differentiation DO NOT APPLY! The function must first be revised before a derivative can
be taken. Begin with

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 Solved Problems
Differential Calculus
SOS Math

x 2 x ( x−1 )3
y=
( 3+5 x )4

Apply the natural logarithm to both sides of this equation and use the algebraic properties of
logarithms, getting

ln y =ln
{
x 2 x ( x−1 )3
( 3+5 x )4 }
¿ ln ( x2 x ( x−1 )3 ) − ln ( 3+5 x )4
¿ ln x 2 x + ln ( x−1 )3 − ln ( 3+5x )4
ln y= 2 x ln x + 3 ln ( x−1 ) − 4 ln ( 3=5 x )

Differentiate both sides of this equation. The left-hand side requires the chain rule since y
represents a function of x. Use the product rule and the chain rule on the right-hand side.
Thus, beginning with

ln y= 2 x ln x + 3 ln ( x−1 ) − 4 ln ( 3=5 x )

and differentiating, we get

1
y
y ' = 2x ()
1
x
+ ( 2 ) ln x + 3
1
x−1 ( ) ( 1) − 4( 1
3+5 x )
(5)
3 20
= 2 + 2 ln x + −
x−1 3+5 x
( 2+2 ln x ) ( x−1 ) ( 3+5 x ) + 3 ( 3+5 x ) − 20 ( x−1 )
=
( x−1 )( 3+5 x )

Simplify the polynomials in the numerator, we get

1 2 ( ln x ) ( x −1 )( 3+5 x ) = 10 x2 −9 x +23
y'=
y ( x −1 )( 3+5 x )

Multiply both sides of this equation by y, getting

2 ( ln x ) ( x−1 ) ( 3+5 x ) = 10 x 2−9 x +23
y' = y
( x−1 ) (3+5 x )
3
x ( x−1 ) 2 ( ln x ) ( x−1 )( 3+5 x ) + 10 x 2−9 x +23
2x
¿
( 3+5 x )4 ( x−1 ) ( 3+5 x )
x 2 x ( x−1 )2 {2 ( ln x )( x−1 )( 3+5 x ) + 10 x 2−9 x +23 }
y' =
( 3+5 x ) 5

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 Solved Problems
Differential Calculus
SOS Math

x 5 e x ( 4 x+3 )
f ( x )= 2
5 ln x ( 3−x )
PROBLEM 10: Consider the function . Find an equation of the line
tangent to the graph of f at x=1.

SOLUTION 10:
First note that
( 1 )5 e1 ( 4(1 )+3 ) 7 e
f (1) = 2
=
5 ln1 ( 3−(1 ) ) 4

so that the tangent line passes through the point

x = 1 and y = (7/4)e .

Nowhere in the function f is a variable raised to a variable power. Thus, the ordinary rules of
differentiation DO APPLY! However, the function is so algebraically complicated that use of
the ordinary rules of differentiation would be somewhat unpleasant. Even though it is not
necessary, differentiation will be considerably easier if we FIRST APPLY THE NATURAL
LOGARITHM. Begin with

x 5 e x ( 4 x+3 )
f ( x )= 2
5 ln x ( 3−x )

Apply the natural logarithm to both sides of this equation and use the algebraic properties of
logarithms, getting

ln f ( x )= ln
{x 5 e x ( 4 x +3 )
5 ln x ( 3−x )
2 }
¿ ln { x5 e x ( 4 x +3 ) } − ln {5ln x ( 3−x ) }
2

¿ 5 ln x + x + ln ( 4 x +3 ) − ( ln 5 ) ln x − 2 ln (3−x )

Differentiate both sides of this equation. The left-hand side requires the chain rule since f(x)
represents a function of x. Use the chain rule on the right-hand side. Thus, beginning with

ln f ( x)= 5 ln x + x + ln ( 4 x+3 ) − ( ln 5 ) ln x − 2ln ( 3−x )

and differentiating, we get

1
f ( x)
f '( x ) = 5() (
1
x
+1+
1
4 x+3 ) 1
( 4 ) − ln5 − 2
x
1
3−x () ( )
(−1 )
5 4 ln 5 2
= +1+ − +
x 4 x+3 x 3−x

{ 5
f ' ( x) = f ( x ) + 1 +
x
4
4 x+3 x
−
ln 5 2
+
3−x }
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 Solved Problems
Differential Calculus
SOS Math

The SLOPE of the line tangent to the graph of f at x=1 is

f ' (1) = f (1)

{
5
1
+1+
4
−
4 ( 1 ) +3 1
ln 5 2
+
3−1 }
= ( 7/4 ) e ( 7+4/7 − ln 5 )
= ( 7/4 ) e ( 53/7 − ln5 )
.
Thus, the EQUATION of the line tangent to the graph of f at x=1 is
y − ( 7/ 4 ) e = ( 7/4 ) e ( 53/7 − ln 5 ) ( x−1 )
f ( x) = π 2 + 2 x + x 2 + x 1/x
PROBLEM 11: Consider the function . Determine the slope of the
line perpendicular to the graph of f at x=1.

SOLUTION 11:
In this function the only term that requires logarithmic differentiation is x1/x. Begin with

y = x1/x

Apply the natural logarithm to both sides of this equation and use the algebraic properties of
logarithms, getting
ln y = ln x 1/ x
ln x
¿
x

Differentiate both sides of this equation. The left-hand side requires the chain rule since y
represents a function of x. Use the quotient rule on the right-hand side. Thus, beginning with
ln x
ln y =
x

and differentiating, we get

1
y'= 2
x (1x ) − ( ln x ) (1)
y x
1−ln x
y '= y 2
x
1−ln x
¿ x 1/ x 2
x
1/ x
x ( 1−ln x )
¿ 2
x
2 x 2 1/x
Now return to the original function f ( x ) = π + 2 + x + x . Differentiating, we get

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 Solved Problems
Differential Calculus
SOS Math

x 1/x ( 1−ln x )
f ' ( x ) = ( 0 ) + 2 x ln 2 + 2 x +
x2
x 1/x ( 1−ln x )
¿ 2 x ln 2 + 2 x + 2
x

The slope of the line TANGENT to the graph of f at x=1 is

1 ( 1 )1/1 ( 1−ln1 )
f ' (1)= 2 ln 2 + 2 ( 1 ) + 2
1
1 ( 1−( 0 ) )
¿ 2 ln 2 + 2 +
1
¿ 3 + ln 4

Thus, the slope of the line PERPENDICULAR to the graph of f at x=1 is

1
m =−
3+ln 4
4
x
y = xx
PROBLEM 12: Differentiate

SOLUTION 12:
Because a variable is raised to a variable power in this function, the ordinary rules of
differentiation DO NOT APPLY! The function must first be revised before a derivative can
be taken. Begin with
4
x
y = xx
Apply the natural logarithm to both sides of this equation and use the algebraic properties of
logarithms, getting

ln y = ln ( x )
4
xx
4
= x x ln x
We CANNOT yet differentiate this expression since a variable is still raised to a variable
power. Apply the natural logarithm AGAIN to both sides of this equation! Begin with
4
ln y = x x ln x
Apply the natural logarithm to both sides of this equation and use the algebraic properties of
logarithms, getting
ln ( ln y ) = ln ( x x ln x )
4

4
= ln x x + ln ( ln x )
ln ( ln y ) = x 4 ln x + ln ( ln x )

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 Solved Problems
Differential Calculus
SOS Math

Differentiate both sides of this equation. The left-hand side requires the chain rule since y
represents a function of x. Use the product rule and the chain rule on the right-hand side.
Thus, beginning with
ln ( ln y ) = x 4 ln x + ln ( ln x )
and differentiating, we get

( )( )
1
ln y y
1 1
()
y ' = x 4 + ( 4 x3 ) ln x +
x
1 1
ln x x ( )
1
¿ ( x 3 +4 x 3 ln x ) +
x ln x

Get a common denominator and combine fractions on the right-hand side.

1
= ( x +4 x ln x ) +
3 3
x ln x
3
x ( 1+4 ln x ) x ln x + 1
¿
x ln x
x 4 ( 1+4 ln x ) ln x + 1
¿
x ln x

Multiply both sides of this equation by y ln y, getting

x 4 ( 1+4 ln x ) ln x + 1
y ' = y ln y
x ln x
4
x x ( 1+4 ln x ) ln x + 1
¿ x ln ( x )
4 4
x
xx
x ln x
x 4 ( 1+4 ln x ) ln x + 1
= x ( x ) ln x
4
x 4
x x
x ln x
( 4
+ x 4−1)
{ x 4 ( 1+4 ln x ) ln x + 1 }
x
y' = x x

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