Chain Rule & Trig Functions: Explaining to DeusAbs

  • MHB
  • Thread starter DeusAbscondus
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Ln
In summary, the conversation discusses the application of the chain rule and trigonometric functions in finding the derivative of a function. The example given is $y=ln(sinx)\Rightarrow y'=cot(x)$, with the steps including setting $u=sin(x)$ and applying the chain rule. The conversation also mentions the difficulty in understanding how the trigonometric function ends up in the denominator when using the chain rule. Finally, there is discussion on the best notation to use for the chain rule, with the suggestion to use Liebniz' notation.
  • #1
DeusAbscondus
176
0
this time it relates to the chain rule and trig functions.

for example:
$$y=ln(sinx)\Rightarrow y'=cot(x)$$ via the chain rule, including the following steps
$$\frac{d}{dx}ln(sinx)$$
$$=cos(x).\frac{1}{sin(x)}$$
$$=\frac{cos(x)}{sin(x)}$$
$=cot(x)$
but I would have expected that, following the chain rule, an operation was required on the $sin(x)$, but it just gets shunted down into the denominator along with $x$ Could someone kindly explain to me why?

I mean I understand this expression: $$y=ln(x)\Rightarrow y'=\frac {1}{x}$$
but how does the sine function make it down into the denominator holus-bolus in my example above?

I'm sorry for the awkwardness of expression.
Can anyone see the difficulty I am having with this?

Thanks,
DeusAbs
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
DeusAbscondus said:
this time it relates to the chain rule and trig functions.

for example:
$$y=ln(sinx)\Rightarrow y'=cot(x)$$ via the chain rule, including the following steps
$$\frac{d}{dx}ln(sinx)$$
$$=cos(x).\frac{1}{sin(x)}$$
$$=\frac{cos(x)}{sin(x)}$$
$=cot(x)$
but I would have expected that, following the chain rule, an operation was required on the $sin(x)$, but it just gets shunted down into the denominator along with $x$ Could someone kindly explain to me why?

I mean I understand this expression: $$y=ln(x)\Rightarrow y'=\frac {1}{x}$$
but how does the sine function make it down into the denominator holus-bolus in my example above?

I'm sorry for the awkwardness of expression.
Can anyone see the difficulty I am having with this?

Thanks,
DeusAbs

Put \(u=\sin(x)\), so \(y=\ln(u)\), then:

\[\frac{dy}{dx}=\frac{dy}{du}\;\frac{du}{dx}=\left( \frac{1}{u} \right) \left( \cos(x) \right) =\frac{\cos(x)}{\sin(x)}\]

CB
 
  • #3
and triple application of rule

Thanks Cap'n.

I think I'm on a roll: following on from what you and SuperSonic and others have shared about setting out my work, I'm going to try applying the chain rule triply, to the following:
$f(x)=ln(cos(x^2))\Rightarrow f'(x)=-2xtan(x^2)$
with the working out thus: (please comment if I can omit, add anything to or change anything about the way I set this out):
$Let$
$u=x^2$
$v=cos(u)$
$y=ln(v)$
and
$u'=2x$
$v'=-sin(x^2)$
$y'=\frac{1}{cos(x^2)}$
$\therefore f'(x)=u'.v'.y'=\frac{-2x.sin(x^2}{cos(x^2)}=-2xtan(x^2)$

Thanks for the great help,
DeusAbs
 
Last edited:
  • #4
Re: and triple application of rule

DeusAbscondus said:
Thanks Cap'n.

I think I'm on a roll: following on from what you and SuperSonic and others have shared about setting out my work, I'm going to try applying the chain rule triply, to the following:
$f(x)=ln(cos(x^2))\Rightarrow f'(x)=-2xtan(x^2)$
with the working out thus: (please comment if I can omit, add anything to or change anything about the way I set this out):
$Let$
$u=x^2$
$v=cos(u)$
$y=ln(v)$
and
$u'=2x$
$v'=-sin(x^2)$
$y'=\frac{1}{cos(x^2)}$
$\therefore f'(x)=u'.v'.y'=\frac{-2x.sin(x^2}{cos(x^2)}=-2xtan(x^2)$

Thanks for the great help,
DeusAbs

Nothing wrong there :)
 
  • #5
Re: and triple application of rule

SuperSonic4 said:
Nothing wrong there :)

Ah, well that'd be because I try to model myself on you, Super.
D'abs
 
  • #6
Re: and triple application of rule

DeusAbscondus said:
Thanks Cap'n.

I think I'm on a roll: following on from what you and SuperSonic and others have shared about setting out my work, I'm going to try applying the chain rule triply, to the following:
$f(x)=ln(cos(x^2))\Rightarrow f'(x)=-2xtan(x^2)$
with the working out thus: (please comment if I can omit, add anything to or change anything about the way I set this out):
$Let$
$u=x^2$
$v=cos(u)$
$y=ln(v)$
and
$u'=2x$
$v'=-sin(x^2)$
$y'=\frac{1}{cos(x^2)}$
$\therefore f'(x)=u'.v'.y'=\frac{-2x.sin(x^2}{cos(x^2)}=-2xtan(x^2)$

Thanks for the great help,
DeusAbs
I think you would be better off with Liebniz' notation rather that Newton's Fluxion like notation.

Then:

\[\frac{d}{dx}f(x)=\frac{df}{dv}\frac{dv}{du}\frac{du}{dx}\]

which is much more suggestive of what is going on.

CB
 
Last edited:
  • #7
Re: and triple application of rule

CaptainBlack said:
I think you would be better off with Liebniz' notation rather that Newton's Fluxion notation.

Then:

\[\frac{d}{dx}f(x)=\frac{df}{dv}\frac{dv}{du}\frac{du}{dx}\]

which is much more suggestive of what is going on.

CB

Thanks Cap'n; I'll look it up and look into it. "Fluxion" sure sounds alchemical. If I could find a way of doing Calculus sans any mystical overtones, so much the better for a proudly upright atheist and scientific materialist.
D'abs
 

FAQ: Chain Rule & Trig Functions: Explaining to DeusAbs

What is the chain rule?

The chain rule is a mathematical rule that allows us to find the derivative of a composite function. It is used when a function is composed of two or more functions.

How do you apply the chain rule?

To apply the chain rule, we first identify the outer function and the inner function. Then, we take the derivative of the outer function and multiply it by the derivative of the inner function. This can also be written as d/dx [f(g(x))] = f'(g(x)) * g'(x).

What are trigonometric functions?

Trigonometric functions are mathematical functions that relate the angles of a triangle to the lengths of its sides. The most common trigonometric functions are sine, cosine, and tangent.

How do you differentiate trigonometric functions?

To differentiate trigonometric functions, we use a combination of the chain rule and the derivatives of basic trigonometric functions. For example, the derivative of sine is cosine and the derivative of cosine is negative sine.

Can you explain the chain rule and trigonometric functions with an example?

Sure! Let's take the function f(x) = sin(2x). First, we identify the outer function as sin(x) and the inner function as 2x. Applying the chain rule, we get f'(x) = cos(2x) * 2. This can also be written as d/dx [sin(2x)] = cos(2x) * 2.

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Back
Top