Solving e^x Differential and Integral Equations

In summary: But that's not right. I don't even know where to start with Integration.In summary, the student is trying to differentiate and integrate e^x. They are having trouble understanding how to do it and ask for help. They explain that u is a value and the power rule does not apply. They also explain that integration is different than differentiation, and that in order to differentiate e^x, they need to replace a by e.
  • #1
madmike159
Gold Member
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What if the proof for differentiating and integrating e^x.

For d/dx (e^x) i used the chin rule and did
u = x
y = e^u
dy/du = ue^u-1
du/dx = 1
dy/du*du/dx = ue^u-1
so you get xe^x-1 but that's not right. I don't even know where to start with intergration.

Can anyone show me? Thanks:biggrin:

(also where are all the symbols have gone? I Don't know how to put them in anymore.)

*edit* Sorry I didn't realize this wasn't home work help section. Can a moderator move it there please.
 
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  • #2
Why do you have dy/du=ue^(u-1)?
 
  • #3
well, there are different ways as how the derivative of e^x is defined. We usually start by the def. of the derivative.

let [tex]f(x)=a^x[/tex], be any exponential function, so

[tex](a^x)'=\lim_{h\rightarrow 0}\frac{a^{x+h}-a^x}{h}=\lim_{h\rightarrow 0}\frac{a^x(a^h-1)}{h}=a^x\lim_{h\rightarrow 0}\frac{a^h-1}{h}[/tex]

Now, notice that [tex]\lim_{h\rightarrow 0}\frac{a^h-1}{h}=f'(0)[/tex] , right? In other words, this is the derivative of the exponential function at the point x=0.

SO, it looks like the derivative of any exponential function at any point, say c, [tex]f(x)=a^x[/tex] is simply a constant multiple of its value at that particular point. IN other words, the derivative of any exponential function, and the value of the function at a certian point x are proportional.

Now, it is convinient for us to find an exponential function such that the derivative of that function at x=0 is 1. f'(0)=1.

[tex]\lim_{h\rightarrow 0}\frac{a^h-1}{h}[/tex] let [tex]a^h-1=t=>a^h=t+1[/tex] also

[tex] h=log_a=log_a(t+1)[/tex] notice that when h-->0, t-->0, so;

[tex]\lim_{h\rightarrow 0}\frac{a^h-1}{h}=\lim_{t\rightarrow 0}\frac{t}{log_a(t+1)}=\lim_{t\rightarrow 0}\frac{1}{log_a(t+1)^{\frac{1}{t}}}=\frac{1}{log_ae}=lna[/tex]


Now as we can see, in order for f'(0)=1, a=e, so [tex](e^x)'=e^x[/tex]
 
  • #4
gabbagabbahey said:
Why do you have dy/du=ue^(u-1)?

because u is a value. the power is decreased by one.

Thanks for the help.
 
  • #5
madmike159 said:
because u is a value. the power is decreased by one.

[tex]\frac{d}{du} u^e =eu^{e-1}[/tex]

Not

[tex]\frac{d}{du} e^u=ue^{u-1}[/tex]

To find the derivative of e^x, you will need to use the definition of derivative in terms of limits.
 
  • #6
madmike159 said:
because u is a value. the power is decreased by one.

The power rule of differentiating does not apply here, since your power here is not a number, but rather a function/variable.
Like i said in my above post. In my previous post, i explained how why the derivative of exp. functions is what it is.

other ways of doing it, which come indirectly from the def. of derivatives, is

let [tex]f(x)=a^x[/tex] then let [tex] a^x=y=>lny=xlna[/tex] now let's differentiate implicitly:

[tex] \frac{y'}{y}=lna=>y'=ylna=>y'=(a^x)'=a^xlna[/tex] in your case you have [tex] f(x)=e^x[/tex] so all you need to do is replace a by e. and youll get what u need.!
 
  • #7
I have absolutely no idea what you mean by "u is a value"! Every symbol or expression in mathematics is a value! The question is whether or not u is a variable or a constant. Since you let u= x and x is a variable, so is x.

The derivative of xa, where a is a constant, with respect to x, is a xa-1 but the derivative of ax is ln(a) ax and in the special case that a= 2, ln(e)= 1, that becomes d(ex)/dx= ex.
 
  • #8
Well my working was wrong. I just made u = x (like in the chain rule, e^2x-1 u = 2x-1) and I took 1 off it because when you differentiate the power decreases by 1.
 

FAQ: Solving e^x Differential and Integral Equations

What is e^x?

e^x is a mathematical constant and one of the most important numbers in mathematics. It is approximately equal to 2.71828 and is the base of the natural logarithm.

What is a differential equation?

A differential equation is a mathematical equation that describes how a variable changes over time or space. It involves derivatives, which represent the rate of change of a function.

What is an integral equation?

An integral equation is a mathematical equation that involves an unknown function and an integral of that function. It is used to solve problems where the solution is a function rather than a single value.

How do you solve e^x differential equations?

To solve e^x differential equations, you can use various methods such as separation of variables, integrating factors, or the method of undetermined coefficients. These methods involve manipulating the equation until you can isolate the variable and solve for its value.

How do you solve e^x integral equations?

To solve e^x integral equations, you can use techniques such as integration by parts, substitution, or partial fractions. These methods involve manipulating the integral equation to make it easier to integrate and solve for the unknown function.

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