1. Derivatives of Logarithmic Functions
CHAPTER 2
2.4 Continuity
Derivatives of Logarithmic Functions

2. ( d / dx ) (log a x) = 1 / ( x ln a )
( d / dx ) (ln x) = 1 / x
( d / dx ) (ln u) = (1 / u) ( du / dx )
( d / dx ) [ln g(x)] = g’(x) / g(x)
( d / dx ) ln |x| = 1 / x

3. Example Differentiate the functions
Example Differentiate the functions a) f (x) = ln (2 – x ) b) f (x) = log [x / (x – 1)]
CHAPTER 2
2.4 Continuity

4. Example Differentiate f and find its domain for f (x) = ln ln x.
CHAPTER 2
2.4 Continuity

5. Steps in Logarithmic Differentiation
Take natural logarithms of both sides of an equation y = f (x) and use the Laws of Logarithms to simplify.
Differentiate implicitly with respect to x.
Solve the resulting equation for y’.

6. Power Rule If n is any real number and
f (x) = x n, then f’ (x) = n x n –1 .
You should distinguish carefully
between the Power Rule, where the base
is variable and the exponent is constant,
and the rule for differentiating
exponential functions, where the base is
constant and the exponent is variable.

7. In general, there are 4 cases for exponents and bases:
1. d /dx (a b) = 0 ( a and b are constants)
2. d /dx [ f (x)b] = b [ f (x)]b-1 f’(x)
3. d /dx (a g(x)) = a g(x) (ln a) g’(x)
4. To find (d / dx) [ f(x)]g(x), logarithmic differentiation can be used.

8. Example Differentiate y = x x .

9. The number e as a Limit
lim x  0 ( 1 + x ) 1 / x = e

10. Example Show that lim n  00 ( 1 + ( x / n )n = e x for any x>0.