Derivatives Of Log. Functions... HELP!!! Calculus II is a Bitch!
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I cant figure out derivatives of Logarithmic functions. Here's an example from my notes.
Problem: Y=ln(x^4(sin^2(x))) Find first derivative.
Y= ln(x^4) + ln(sin^2(x)) dx
Y= ln(x^4) + ln(sin(x))^2 dx
Y=4ln(x) + 2ln(sinx) dx
I get here, then I get stuck.
Y'= ???
My notes show Y'= (4/x) + (2cos(x))/(sin(x) But I don't see how they got that.
I'm pretty sure you have to use chain rule to get this answer, but I don't know I'm just not getting it.
I've even tried some of the online calculus calculators and they come up with different answers then the one from my notes.
Thanks for any help.
Problem: Y=ln(x^4(sin^2(x))) Find first derivative.
Y= ln(x^4) + ln(sin^2(x)) dx
Y= ln(x^4) + ln(sin(x))^2 dx
Y=4ln(x) + 2ln(sinx) dx
I get here, then I get stuck.
Y'= ???
My notes show Y'= (4/x) + (2cos(x))/(sin(x) But I don't see how they got that.
I'm pretty sure you have to use chain rule to get this answer, but I don't know I'm just not getting it.

I've even tried some of the online calculus calculators and they come up with different answers then the one from my notes.
Thanks for any help.
my text book had a log derivatives table with general rules and such... made it so easy that I couldn't possibly do it without my book.... which is at the office, so you are out of luck,
I should line you out with my roommate, he's a double major, ME and Math.
Took calc 3 and dif-e the same semster, said it was a breeze. He finally has a hard class in school, dif-e 2 is making him hate life.
Took calc 3 and dif-e the same semster, said it was a breeze. He finally has a hard class in school, dif-e 2 is making him hate life.
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I didn't know there was a diff. between x^n and a^x. Of course, there is, and there are diff. rules for each. That was the main thing I was overlooking.
My major is Mechanical Engineering. This is my second year and next semester I'll be taking Calculus III, Linear Algerbra, Physics II, and Statics.
I'm not exactly looking forward to it. The physics comes easy, but this calculus gets me triped up pretty regularly. Loki, I see that lnx dx = 1/x, but I didn't follow the rest of that. Anyway, I've a few rules to use and so far they're working.
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Damn it again. Sure enough, there's 3 pages of formulas back their I could have been using since Cal I. I guess I just never thought to look there.

Oh well, at least I've got all the people on this forum to set me straight.
Seriously, without those 3 pages i would have failed. Xerox those pages and put them in your notebook, on your wall, your g/fs wall. Just so you know as many of them as possible.
Loki, how do you remember how to do that?
I though it was hard at the time too, but actually it's just the foundation for the hard stuff that comes later. You'll get really good and really fast at it.Wait until when (if) you get to the multivariate stuff. Ugh.





Become a psychologist... the math is easier!

