Exponential and Logarithmic Derivatives

Differentiate exponential and logarithmic functions for AP Calculus AB.

Exponential and log derivatives are heavily tested on the AP exam.

Key Derivatives

ddx[ex]=ex\frac{d}{dx}[e^x] = e^x, ddx[eu]=eu⋅u′\frac{d}{dx}[e^{u}] = e^u \cdot u'

ddx[ln⁡x]=1x\frac{d}{dx}[\ln x] = \frac{1}{x}, ddx[ln⁡u]=u′u\frac{d}{dx}[\ln u] = \frac{u'}{u}

ddx[ax]=axln⁡a\frac{d}{dx}[a^x] = a^x \ln a, ddx[log⁡ax]=1xln⁡a\frac{d}{dx}[\log_a x] = \frac{1}{x \ln a}

Logarithmic Differentiation

For y=xxy = x^x: take ln⁡\ln of both sides.

ln⁡y=xln⁡x\ln y = x \ln x → y′y=ln⁡x+1\frac{y'}{y} = \ln x + 1 → y′=xx(ln⁡x+1)y' = x^x(\ln x + 1).

Worked Examples

y=e3x2y = e^{3x^2} → y′=6xe3x2y' = 6xe^{3x^2}.

y=ln⁡(sin⁡x)y = \ln(\sin x) → y′=cos⁡xsin⁡x=cot⁡xy' = \frac{\cos x}{\sin x} = \cot x.

Practice Problems

    1. ddx[ex]\frac{d}{dx}[e^{\sqrt{x}}].
    1. ddx[ln⁡(x2+1)]\frac{d}{dx}[\ln(x^2 + 1)].
    1. ddx[3x]\frac{d}{dx}[3^x].

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Key Takeaways

  • ✓

    ddx[ex]=ex\frac{d}{dx}[e^x] = e^x (unique self-derivative).

  • ✓

    ddx[ln⁡u]=u′u\frac{d}{dx}[\ln u] = \frac{u'}{u} (appears frequently).

  • ✓

    Log diff for complex products/powers.

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