B1.2 & B1.

3 Derivatives of
Exponential and Logarithmic
Functions
IB Math HL/SL - Santowski
(A) Derivatives of Exponential
Functions Graphic Perspective
Consider the graph of
f(x) = a
x
and then
predict what the
derivative graph
should look like
(A) Derivatives of Exponential
Functions Graphic Perspective
Our exponential fcn is
constantly increasing, it is
concave up and has no
max/min points
So our derivative graph
should be positive,
increasing and have no x-
intercepts
So then our derivative
graph should look very
similar to another
exponential fcn!!
(A) Derivatives of Exponential
Functions Graphic Perspective
So when we use
technology to graph
an exponential
function and its
derivative, we see
that our prediction is
correct

Now lets verify this
graphic predication
algebraically
(B) Derivatives of Exponential
Functions Algebraic Perspective
Lets go back to the limit
calculations to find the derivative
function for f(x) = b
x

So we see that the derivative is in
fact another exponential function
(as seen by the b
x
equation) which
is simply being multiplied by some
constant (which is given by the
limit expression)

But what is the value of the limit??

So then, the derivative of an
exponential function is
proportional to the function itself





h
b
b x f
h
b
b x f
h
b b
x f
h
b b b
x f
h
b b
x f
h
x f h x f
x f
h
h
x
h
h
x
h
h x
h
x h x
h
x h x
h
h
1
lim ) (
1
lim lim ) (
) 1 (
lim ) (
lim ) (
lim ) (
) ( ) (
lim ) (
0
0 0
0
0
0
0

(C) Investigating the Limits

Investigate lim
h0
(2
h
1)/h
numerically with a table of
values

x y
-0.00010 0.69312
-0.00007 0.69313
-0.00003 0.69314
0.00000 undefined
0.00003 0.69316
0.00007 0.69316
0.00010 0.69317

And we see the value of 0.693
as an approximation of the limit
Investigate lim
h0
(3
h
1)/h
numerically with a table of
values

x y
-0.00010 1.09855
-0.00007 1.09857
-0.00003 1.09859
0.00000 undefined
0.00003 1.09863
0.00007 1.09865
0.00010 1.09867

And we see the value of
1.0986 as an approximation of
the limit
(C) Investigating the Limits
Investigate lim h0 (4
h
1)/h
numerically with a table of
values

x y
-0.00010 1.38620
-0.00007 1.38623
-0.00003 1.38626
0.00000 undefined
0.00003 1.38633
0.00007 1.38636
0.00010 1.38639

And we see the value of 1.386
as an approximation of the limit


Investigate lim h0 (e
h
1)/h
numerically with a table of
values

x y
-0.00010 0.99995
-0.00007 0.99997
-0.00003 0.99998
0.00000 undefined
0.00003 1.00002
0.00007 1.00003
0.00010 1.00005

And we see the value of 1.000
as an approximation of the limit
(D) Special Limits - Summary
The number 0.693 (coming from our
exponential base 2), 1.0896 (coming from
base = 3), 1.386 (base 4) are, as it turns
out, special numbers each is the
natural logarithm of its base
i.e. ln(2) = 0.693
i.e. ln(3) = 1.0896
i.e. ln(4) = 1.386
(E) Derivatives of Exponential
Functions - Summary
The derivative of an exponential function was



Which we will now rewrite as


And we will see one special derivative when the
exponential base is e, then the derivative becomes:

h
b
b x f
h
h
x
1
lim ) (
0

) ln( ) ( b b x f
x

x x
e e e x f

) ln( ) (
(F) Examples
Find the equation of the line normal to f(x)
= x
2
e
x
at x = 1
Find the absolute maximum value of f(x) =
xe
-x
Where is f(x) = e
x^2
increasing?
(G) Derivatives of Logarithmic
Functions Graphic Perspective
Consider the graph of
f(x) = log
a
x and then
predict what the
derivative graph
should look like

(G) Derivatives of Logarithmic
Functions Graphic Perspective
Our log fcn is
constantly increasing,
it is concave down
and has no max/min
points
So our derivative
graph should be
positive, decreasing
and have no x-
intercepts

(G) Derivatives of Logarithmic
Functions Graphic Perspective
So when we use
technology to graph a
logarithmic function
and its derivative, we
see that our
prediction is correct

Now lets verify this
graphic predication
algebraically

(H) Derivatives of Logarithmic
Functions Algebraic Perspective
Let log
b
x = y so then b
y
= x
So now we have an exponential equation (for
which we know the logarithm), so we simply use
implicit differentiation to find dy/dx
d/dx (b
y
) = d/dx (x)
[ln(b)] x b
y
x dy/dx = 1
dy/dx = 1/[b
y
ln(b)] but recall that b
y
= x
Dy/dx = 1/[x ln(b)]

And in the special case where b = e (i.e. we
have ln(x)), the derivative is 1/[x ln(e)] = 1/x

(I) Derivatives of Logarithmic
Functions - Summary
The derivative of a logarithmic function is



And we will see one special derivative when
the exponential base is e, then the derivative of
f(x) = ln(x) becomes


) ln(
1
) (
b x
x f

x e x
x f
1
) ln(
1
) (

(J) Examples
Find the maximum value of f(x) = [ln(x)] x
Find f `(x) if f(x) = log
10
(3x + 1)
10
Find where the function y = ln(x
2
1) is
increasing and decreasing
Find the equation of the tangent line to y =
ln(2x 1) at x = 1


(K) Internet Links
Calculus I (Math 2413) - Derivatives -
Derivatives of Exponential and Logarithm
Functions from Paul Dawkins
Visual Calculus - Derivative of Exponential
Function
From pkving
(L) Homework
Stewart, 1989, Chap 8.2, p366, Q4-10
Stewart, 1989, Chap 8.4, p384, Q1-7