The Derivative of ln(x) via Implicit Differentiation

Dr. Trefor Bazett
12 Sept 201704:58
EducationalLearning
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TLDRThe video script discusses the natural logarithm (Ln) function, which is the inverse of the exponential function e^x. It explains that the natural logarithm is only defined for positive numbers, resulting in a restricted domain for its inverse function. To find the derivative of the natural logarithm, the video employs implicit differentiation, starting with y = ln(x) and transforming it into x = e^y. Applying the chain rule to differentiate both sides with respect to x yields dy/dx = 1/(e^y), which simplifies to 1/x when considering the original equation e^y = x. The video also explores the natural logarithm of the absolute value of x, which extends the domain to include negative numbers by considering the natural logarithm of -x. The derivative of ln(|x|) is shown to be 1/x for both positive and negative values of x, excluding zero. This comprehensive explanation of the natural logarithm and its derivative is crucial for understanding antiderivatives and other advanced calculus concepts.

Takeaways
  • ๐Ÿ“ˆ The natural logarithm, denoted as ln(x), is the inverse function of e^x.
  • ๐Ÿšซ The domain of ln(x) is restricted to positive numbers only, meaning x must be greater than zero.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ When graphed, ln(x) and e^x are reflections of each other over the line y=x.
  • ๐Ÿงฎ To find the derivative of ln(x), implicit differentiation is used because it is an inverse function.
  • โ›“ Applying the chain rule to x = e^y helps in finding the derivative of ln(x) with respect to x.
  • ๐Ÿ’ก The derivative of ln(x) with respect to x is found to be 1/x, considering the restricted domain.
  • ๐Ÿ” The function 1/x has a domain of all real numbers except zero, which contrasts with ln(x)'s domain.
  • ๐ŸŒ To extend the domain of ln(x), consider ln(|x|), which includes negative values by using the absolute value.
  • ๐Ÿ“‰ For x < 0, ln(|x|) is equivalent to ln(-x), which reflects the graph of ln(x) across the y-axis.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ The derivative of ln(-x) for x < 0 is found using the chain rule, resulting in -1/x.
  • โœ… The final derivative of ln(x), considering both positive and negative x values, is 1/x with a domain of all real numbers except zero.
Q & A
  • What is the natural logarithm, ln(x), defined as?

    -The natural logarithm, ln(x), is defined as the inverse function to e^x. This means that when you graph e^x and its inverse, you get a reflection over the line y=x, resulting in the natural logarithm function.

  • What is the domain restriction for the natural logarithm function?

    -The natural logarithm function is only defined for positive numbers. This means that x must be greater than zero for ln(x) to be computed.

  • How do you find the derivative of the natural logarithm function?

    -To find the derivative of the natural logarithm function, you use implicit differentiation. You start by expressing y as ln(x), which implies that x = e^y. Then, you differentiate both sides with respect to x, applying the chain rule where necessary, to find that dy/dx = 1/x.

  • What is the domain of the function 1/x?

    -The function 1/x has a domain of all real numbers except zero, as division by zero is undefined.

  • How does the domain of ln(x) differ from that of 1/x?

    -The domain of ln(x) is only positive numbers, whereas the domain of 1/x includes all real numbers except zero. This creates an asymmetry between the two functions.

  • What is the natural logarithm of the absolute value of x, and how is it defined?

    -The natural logarithm of the absolute value of x, denoted as ln(|x|), is a piecewise-defined function. When x is greater than zero, it is simply ln(x). When x is less than zero, it is ln(-x), which is the same as -ln(x).

  • How does the graph of ln(|x|) differ from the graph of ln(x) when x is less than zero?

    -When x is less than zero, the graph of ln(|x|) reflects the negative values of x to positive values, effectively creating a mirror image of the ln(x) graph over the y-axis for negative x values.

  • What is the domain of ln(|x|)?

    -The domain of ln(|x|) is all real numbers except zero, as it includes both positive and negative values of x, with the absolute value ensuring that x is never zero.

  • How do you find the derivative of ln(|x|) when x is less than zero?

    -When x is less than zero, the derivative of ln(|x|) is found using the chain rule. Since ln(|x|) is ln(-x) in this case, the derivative is the derivative of the natural logarithm function, which is 1/x, multiplied by the derivative of the inside function, which is -1. This results in a derivative of -1/x.

  • What is the domain of the derivative of ln(x) and ln(|x|)?

    -The domain of the derivative of both ln(x) and ln(|x|) is all real numbers except zero, as the derivative 1/x is undefined at x = 0.

  • Why is the derivative of ln(|x|) useful in calculus?

    -The derivative of ln(|x|) is useful in calculus because it allows for the integration of functions involving absolute values, which can be important in various applications where the context requires consideration of magnitude regardless of direction or sign.

Outlines
00:00
๐Ÿ“ˆ Introduction to Natural Logarithm and its Derivative

The video begins by focusing on the natural logarithm, denoted as ln(x), which is the inverse function of e^x. The presenter explains that when graphed, the natural logarithm and its inverse e^x are symmetrical over the line y=x. It is noted that the natural logarithm is only defined for positive values of x, which consequently restricts its inverse to positive values as well. The derivative of the natural logarithm is then explored using implicit differentiation. By differentiating x = e^y (where y is a function of x), the presenter derives that dy/dx = 1/(x), given that x > 0 to avoid division by zero. The video also touches on the concept of natural logarithm of the absolute value of x, which extends the domain of the function to all real numbers except zero, and its graphical representation.

Mindmap
Keywords
๐Ÿ’กNatural logarithm
The natural logarithm, denoted as ln(x), is the logarithm to the base e (approximately 2.71828). It is the inverse function of the exponential function e^x. In the video, the natural logarithm is discussed in relation to its derivative and domain, which is restricted to positive numbers.
๐Ÿ’กInverse function
An inverse function is a function that 'reverses' another function, meaning that applying the inverse function to the result of the original function will return the original input. In the context of the video, the natural logarithm is the inverse of the exponential function e^x, which is demonstrated through a graphical reflection over the line y=x.
๐Ÿ’กDomain
The domain of a function refers to the set of all possible input values (x-values) for which the function is defined. The video emphasizes that the natural logarithm has a domain of positive numbers only, meaning that ln(x) is only defined when x is greater than zero.
๐Ÿ’กImplicit differentiation
Implicit differentiation is a technique used to find the derivative of a function that is not explicitly expressed in terms of y or x. In the video, it is used to find the derivative of the natural logarithm function, where y is implicitly defined as a function of x through the equation y = ln(x).
๐Ÿ’กChain rule
The chain rule is a fundamental theorem in calculus for determining the derivative of a composite function. It states that the derivative of a composite function is the derivative of the outer function times the derivative of the inner function. In the video, the chain rule is applied to find the derivative of e^y, where y is a function of x.
๐Ÿ’กDerivative
The derivative of a function at a chosen input value is the slope of the tangent line to the graph of the function at that point. It represents the rate of change of the function with respect to the variable. The video focuses on finding the derivative of the natural logarithm function, which is a key concept in calculus.
๐Ÿ’กAbsolute value
The absolute value of a number is its non-negative value, which means for a negative number, it is the number without its negative sign. In the video, the concept of the natural logarithm of the absolute value of x is introduced to extend the domain of the natural logarithm function to include negative numbers.
๐Ÿ’กPiecewise function
A piecewise function is a function that is defined by multiple sub-functions, each applicable to a different interval or region of its domain. The video discusses how the natural logarithm of the absolute value of x is a piecewise function, with different expressions for when x is greater than zero and when x is less than zero.
๐Ÿ’กExponential function
The exponential function is a mathematical function of the form e^x, where e is the base of the natural logarithm. It is closely related to the natural logarithm as their inverse functions. In the video, the exponential function is used to express x in terms of y to facilitate the differentiation process.
๐Ÿ’กAntiderivatives
An antiderivative, also known as an indefinite integral, is a function whose derivative is equal to the original function. The video mentions that the derivative of the natural logarithm function will be particularly useful when dealing with antiderivatives of functions in future calculus studies.
๐Ÿ’กGraph
A graph is a visual representation of a function, showing the relationship between the input and output values. In the video, the graph of the natural logarithm function and its derivative is discussed, illustrating how the function behaves and how its derivative is derived.
Highlights

The natural logarithm, ln(x), is the inverse function to e^x.

The graph of e^x and ln(x) shows a reflection over the line y=x.

The domain of ln(x) is restricted to positive numbers only.

To find the derivative of ln(x), implicit differentiation is used.

The derivative of ln(x) is found by differentiating x = e^y with respect to x.

Applying the chain rule to e^y gives dy/dx = 1/(e^y).

Since e^y equals x, the derivative simplifies to 1/x for x > 0.

The function 1/x has a domain of all real numbers except zero, contrasting with ln(x)'s domain of positive numbers only.

Considering ln(|x|) extends the domain to include negative numbers by using a piecewise definition.

When x < 0, ln(|x|) is equivalent to ln(-x), which reflects the graph over the y-axis.

The domain of ln(|x|) is all real numbers except zero.

Deriving ln(|x|) for x < 0 involves the chain rule and the derivative of -x.

The derivative of ln(-x) is obtained by multiplying 1/x with the derivative of -x, which is -1.

The final expression for the derivative of ln(x) is 1/x, valid for all x except zero.

The domain of both ln(x) and 1/x is all real numbers except zero, which is useful for future antiderivatives.

The video provides a comprehensive understanding of the natural logarithm's properties and its derivative.

The use of absolute value allows for a broader application of the natural logarithm function.

The video demonstrates the importance of understanding the domain and range of mathematical functions.

Transcripts
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