___________________________________________________________________________________

Unit 6. Differentiation of Transcendental Functions

Overview:

A function that is not algebraic is called transcendental function. This

module deals with the derivative of four types of transcendental functions –
trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, logarithmic, and exponential functions.
Module 6 will discuss logarithmic differentiation and derivative of the variable with
variable exponents.
Intended Learning Outcomes_____________________________________________ _

At the end of the module, I can:

1. State and apply the differentiation of transcendental functions.

2. Determine the derivatives of and solving word problems .

Topics

6. Differentiation of Transcendental Functions

6.1 Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions

6.2 Derivatives of Inverse Trigonometric Functions
6.3 Derivatives of Exponential Functions
6.4 Derivatives of Logarithmic Functions

Lesson Proper_________________________________________________________________
Derivatives of Trigonometric Functions

Let y = sin x, where x is measured in radians. By three-step rule, we have

1. f(x + ∆x) – f(x) = sin(x + ∆x) – sin x

= cosx sin ∆x + sin x cos ∆x – sin x
= cosx sin ∆x – sin x(1 – cos ∆x)
Δx
= cosx sin ∆x – sin x (2sin2 )
2
1 1 Δx
2. [f(x + ∆x) – f(x)] = [cosx sin ∆x – sin x (2sin2 )]
Δx Δx 2
Δx
sin
sin ∆ x 2 Δx
= cos x - sin x( ) ∙ sin
Δx ∆x 2
2
3. ∆lim ¿ { 1 [f(x + ∆x) – f(x)]}= cos x lim ¿ sin ∆ x −¿
x→ 0 Δx ∆ x→ 0 Δx
Δx
sin
2 lim ¿ Δx
sin x∆lim ¿( ) sin
x→ 0 ∆ x ∆ x→ 0 2
2

Theorem. If the angle θ is expressed in radians, the ratio sinθ

approaches unity as θ approaches 0, that is

lim ¿ sin ∆ x = 1
∆ x→ 0 Δx

Then,
= cos x (1) – sin x (1)(0)
dy
= cos x
dx

If u is any differentiable function of x, it follows that

d du
1. sinu = cosu
dx dx

The derivative if cos x may also be obtained by applying a three-step rule.

However, it can easily be determined by using a trigonometric identity.
 d d π
cos x = sin ( – x)
dx dx 2
π d π
= cos ( – x) ( – x)
2 dx 2
π
= cos ( – x)(-1)
2
π
= - cos ( – x)
2
d du
2. cos u = - sin u
dx dx

By expressing each of the remaining trigonometric functions in terms of sine

and cosine functions, then the derivatives can easily be obtained.

d du
3. tan u = sec2 u
dx dx
d du
4. cot u = - csc2 u
dx dx
d du
5. sec u = sec u tan u
dx dx
d du
6. csc u = - csc u cot u
dx dx

Example 1:

Find the derivative of y = csc 5x²

Solution:

dy d
= (csc5x2)
dx dx
d
= - csc 5x2 cot 5x2 (5x²)
dx
= - csc 5x2 cot 5x2 (10x)
dy
= - 10 x csc 5x2 cot 5x2
dx

Example 2:
 −π
Find y’ of y = tan(3x )
4

Solution:
y = tan(3x-π4)
d
y' = sec2 (3x-π4) (3x-π4)
dx
= sec2 (3x-π4) (3)
= 3 sec2 (3x-π4)

Example 3:

−π
If y = sin²(4x2 ) then find y’.
3

Solution:

−π
y = sin²(4x2 )
3
−π d −π
y' = 2 sin (4x2 ) sin (4x2 )
3 dx 3
−π −π
y' = 2 sin (4x2 ) . cos(4x2 ) . 8x
3 3
−π
y' = sin 2 (4x2 ) (8x)
3
−π
y' = 8x sin 2 (4x2 )
3

Example 4:

Find y’ if y = x³ cos2 (7x)

Solution:

y = x³ cos2 (7x)
d d
y'= x³ cos2 (7x) + cos2 (7x) (x³)
dx dx
d
= x³ 2 cos7x cos7x + cos² (7x)[3x²]
dx
= x³ 2 cos7x (-sin7x.7) + cos²(7x)[3x²]
= - 7x³[2 cos7x sin7x] +3x²cos²7x
 y’ = - 7x³sin2(7x) + 3x²cos²7x

Example 5:

If y = sin (x + y), find dy/dx.

Solution:

y = sin (x + y)
d
y' = cos (x + y) (x + y)
dx
= cos(x + y)(1+y')
= cos(x + y) + y'cos(x + y)
y'- y'cos(x + y) = cos(x + y)
y'= cos(x+y) .
1- cosx + y
Try this out
Find the derivatives of the following functions;
1. y=4 cos ( 2−5 x ) 4. y= √ 1 – tan 2 πx

1+ tan2 x
2. y=4 cot 3 6 x 5. y=
cot 2 x
3
1−cos x
3. y=x csc ( x 3+ x )
3
6. y= ( 1+cos x )

Derivatives of the Inverse Trigonometric Functions

1
D x ( arcsin x )= ,|x|<1
√ 1−x 2

−1
D x ( arccos x )= ,|x|<1
√1−x 2

1
D x ( arctan x )=
1+ x 2
 −1
D x ( Arctcot x )=
1+ x 2

1
D x ( Arcsec x ) =
x √ x 2−1

1
D x ( Arccsc x ) =
x √ x 2−1

Example 1:
1
Derive D x ( Arcsec x ) =
x √ x 2−1
Solution:
Let y=arcsec x
sec y =x ; tan 2 y +1=¿ sec 2 y ¿ D x ( sec y )=D x (x)

tan y =√ sec 2 y−1

dy
sec y tan y ∙ =1 ¿ √ x2 −1
dx
dy 1
=
dx sec y tan y
dy 1
=Dx ( arcsec ⁡x ) =
dx x √ x 2−1

Example 2
1
Derive D x ( arcsin x )=
√ 1−x 2
Solution:
Let y=arcsin x
sin y=x cos 2 y +sin 2 y=1
D x ( sin y )=D x (x) cos y =√1−sin 2 y
 dy
cos y ∙ =1 cos y =√ 1−x 2
dx
dy 1
=
dx cos y
dy 1
=D x ( arcsin ⁡x )=
dx √ 1−x 2

Example 3.

Differentiate 

Solution:

We can use the above formula and the chain rule.

Example 4.

Differentiate  

Solution:

We use the product rule and chain rule.

Example 5
Solution:

Example 6.

Solution:

Example 7.

Solution:

Example 8.
Solution:

Try this out

X−2
1. y= √ x sin−1 2 x 4. y=cos−1
X +2

2. y=( x2 +2 ) arccot 6 x 5. y=tan −1 2 t+cot −1 2 t

3 2x
3. y=( sec −1 x ) 6. y=
csc −1 x

Derivatives of Logarithmic Functions

The derivative of logarithmic function y = log a x can be obtained by using

three-step rule, we have
y = loga x
1. f(x + ∆x) – f(x) = loga (x+ ∆x) - loga x
= loga x+ ∆x
x
Δx
= loga (1+ )
x
1 1 Δx
2. [f(x + ∆x) – f(x)] = loga (1+ )
Δx Δx x

Δx
let z = , may be written in the form
x
1 1
[f(x + ∆x) – f(x)] = loga (1+ z)1/z
Δx x
 3. ∆lim ¿ { 1 [f(x + ∆x) – f(x)]}= 1 lim ¿ loga (1+ z)1/z
x→ 0 Δx x z→0
1
= loga lim ¿ (1+ z)1/z
x z→0

Since z approaches zero as ∆x approaches zero, then use

lim ¿ (1+ z)1/z = e
z→0

Then,
dy 1
= loga e
dx x
The result gives
d 1 du
1. logau = loga e
dx u dx
For common logarithms the above formula becomes
d 1 du
2. log10u = log10 e
dx u dx

where log10 e=M, M is the modulus of common logarithms then formula 2 can also
be written as
d M du
log10u = ∙
dx u dx
and for natural logarithms formula, 1 becomes
d 1 du
logeu = loge e
dx u dx
but loge e =1, thus
d 1 du
3. ln u = ∙
dx u dx

Example 1:

Find the derivative of y = log2(x2+3x)

Solution:

y = log2(x2+3x)
1 d 2
y'= 2 log2e (x +3x)
x +3 x dx
 2 x +3
= log2e
x2 +3 x

Example 2:

Give the derivative of y = log x(sinx)

Solution:
y = log2 x(sinx)
log 2 e d
y’ = x(sinx)
x sin x dx

Example 3:

Determine the derivative of y = loge(2x+1)

Solution:

y = loge(2x+1)
y = ln (2x+1)
dy 1
= (2)
dx 2 x +1
2
=
2 x +1

Example 4:

If y = ln
√ 1+ sinx , then find its derivative with respect to x.
√1−sinx

Solution:

y = ln
√ 1+ sinx
√1−sinx
( 1+sinx )1/ 2
= ln 1/ 2
( 1−sinx )
1
= [ln(1+sinx) - ln(1- sinx)]
2
1 1 d −1 d
y' = [ ∙ (1+sinx) ∙ (1-sinx) ]
2 (1+ sinx) dx 1−sinx dx
 1 1 −1
= [ ∙ cosx ∙(- cosx)]
2 (1+ sinx) (1−sinx)
1
= [( 1−sinx ) cos x−(1+sinx) ¿ ¿ ¿]
2
1 cos x ( 1−sinx+1+ sinx )
= ∙[ ]
2 1−sin 2 x
1
= ∙ cos x ¿ ¿ ¿
2
y’ = sec x

The work involved in differentiating an algebraic function is often simpler if

logarithms are used. We call this procedure as logarithmic differentiation.

Example 1:
( x−1 )2 ( x−3) ²
By using logarithmic differentiation find the derivative of y=
(x +1)³
.
Solution:
( x−1 )2 ( x−3) ²
y=
(x +1)³
( x−1 )2 (x−3)²
ln y ¿ ln
( x+1) ³
ln y ¿ ln ( x−1 )2 + ln ( x−3) ² −¿ ln ( x +1)³
ln y ¿ 2 ln ( x−1 ) + 2 ln ( x−3) −¿ 3 ln ( x +1)
1 1 1 1
y' ¿ 2 ∙ +2∙ −¿ 3 ∙
y ( x−1 ) (x−3) (x +1)
2 ( x−3 )( x +1 ) +2 ( x−1 )( x +1 )−3 ( x−1 ) (x−3)
¿
( x−1 ) ( x−3)(x+ 1)
2 ( x 2−2 x−3 ) + 2 ( x 2−1 ) −3(x 2−4 x+ 3)
¿
( x−1 ) ( x −3)(x +1)
2 x 2 – 4 x −6+2 x2 −2−3 x 2+12 x−9
¿
( x−1 ) (x −3)( x +1)
x 2 – 8 x−17
y’ ¿ y ∙
( x−1 ) (x−3)( x +1)
 x 2 – 8 x−17
¿ y∙
( x−1 ) (x−3)( x +1)
( x −1 )2( x −3)² x 2 – 8 x−17
¿ ∙
(x +1)³ ( x−1 ) (x−3)(x+ 1)
( x −1 ) ( x−3) x2 – 8 x−17
¿ ∙
( x +1)4 1
( x¿ ¿2 – 8 x−17)
¿ ( x−1 ) ( x−3) ¿∙
(x +1)4

Try this out

1. y=log 3 (3 b+1¿)¿
3
2. y= √ log ( y 3 + y −1 )
x+ 4
3. y=ln √
2x
ln ( x 2 +6 )
4. y=
x−1
dy
5. Use implicit differentiation to find given ln x y 2= y + x
dx
√ x+ 4
6. Use logarithmic differentiation to determine the derivative of y=
2x

Derivatives of Exponential Functions

The derivative of the exponential function y= ax, where a > 0, a ≠ 1, maybe

obtained in the following manner. Taking the natural logarithms of both sides, we
have

ln y = lna x
Applying properties of logarithms
ln y = x lna

Differentiating this implicitly, we find

1 dy
= lna
y dx
 dy
= y lna
dx
replace y by ax
dy
= ax lna
dx

Thus, the result is

d u u du
1. a = a lna
dx dx

and for the base e, the above formula becomes

d u u du
2. e = e lne
dx dx

But ln e = 1, then equation 2 becomes

d u u du
e =e
dx dx

Example 1:

dy
Find of y = 23x
dx

Solution:
y = 23x
dy d
= 23x ln2 (3x)
dx dx
=23x ln2 (3)
=3 ln2 [23x]
= ln8 [23x]

Example 2:

Give the derivative of y = etan5x respect to x.

Solution:
y = etan5x

d
y' = etan5x (tan 5x)
dx
d
= etan5x [sec2 5x (5x)]
dx
= etan5x [sec2 5x (5)]
= 5 etan5x (sec2 5x)

Example 3:

dy
Find if y = arctan-1 (e - 2x)
dx

Solution:
y = arctan-1 (e - 2x)
dy 1 d
= (e -2x)
dx 1+ ( e−2 x )2 dx
−2
= 2
1+ ( e−2 x )

Example 4:

2x
Find y’ of y = 5 tan e

Solution:
2x
y = 5 tan e
2x
ln y = ln 5 tan e
= tan e2 xln5
1
y' = sec 2 e 2 x . e 2 x (2) (ln5)
y
y' = (y) sec 2 e 2 x . e 2 x (2) (ln5)
2x
y' = 5 tan e ln52 (e 2 x sec 2 e 2 x )

Variable with Variable Exponent

To find the derivative of an exponential function of the form uv where u and v

are both functions of x, differentiate the natural logarithms of the function.
 y = uv
ln y = ln (uv)
lny = v (lnu)
1 dy d
= v (lnu)
y dx dx

dy
= y v (lnu)
dx

Example 1:

Find the derivative of y= x x with respect to x.

Solution:
y = xx
lny = ln xx
ln y = x (lnx)
1 d
y' = x (lnx) + lnx (dx/dx)1
y dx
1yy'=x . 1x1+lnx
y'=y(1+1ny)
= xx (1+1nx)y

Example 2:

Find y’ of y = (cosx)cosx.

Solution:
y = (cosx)cosx.
lny = ln (cosx)cosx
lny = cosx [ln (cosx)]
1 d d
y' = cosx ∙ (ln cosx) + ln cosx ∙ (cosx)
y dx dx
1 d
=cosx ∙ ∙ (cos x) + ln cosx [- sinx(1)]
cos x dx
= - sinx(1) – sinx ln cosx
 y' = y [- sinx – sinx ln cosx]
y' = - (cosx)cosx sinx (1 + ln cosx)

Example 3:

Find the derivative of y = x sinx

Solution:
y = x sinx
ln y = x sinx
= (sin x) lnx
1 1
y' = sinx ∙ + lnx (cos x)
y x
sin x
y' = y [ + ln x (cos x)]
x

y' = x sinx ( 1x ) [sinx + x (ln x)(cos x)]

y' = x sinx – 1 [sinx +x ( ln x)(cos x)]

Try this out

For each function, determine the derivative with respect to x.

1. y = x3e−2 ln x
2. y=10 2 x (√ x−2 )
3. y=x e cot x
5. y = ex cos x2
6 e log (x−2 )
7. y=x x+e
Assessing Learning_________________________________________________________________

Activity 1
Name: _____________________ Score:_______________
Section: ____________________ Date: ________________

Directions: Encircle the letter of the best answer. Any form of erasure/alteration will
invalidate your answer.

1. Find the derivative of y = e π +ae

a. eπ b. 1 c. 0 d. a e ln a e. ae

2. The derivative of y = x3 e−2 ln x is

a. 1 b. 2x c. x d. 0 e. 3x2

3. Determine the derivative of y = ln (csc x + cot x)

a. y’ = csc x d. y’ = - sec x
b. y’ = - csc x e. y’ = sec x
c. y’ = csc x + cot x

x a
4. If y = Tan- 1 + Tan – 1 then y’ equals
a x
2a
a. 1 d.
a + x2
2

−2
b. 0 e.
a2 + x 2
 1
c.
a + x2
2

5. Differentiate y = ex cos x2
a. - ex sin x2 d. - 2x ex sin x
b. ex (cos x2 – 2xsin x2) e. e x sin x2
c. ex cos x2 – 2x sin x2

2
6. Differentiate y = log 10 ( x 2+2 )
a. y’ = 4x(x2 + 2) d. y’ = 2x(x2 + 2)
4 x log 10 e 4 x log a e
b. y’ = e. y’ =
x 2+ 2 x 2+2
2
c. y’ = log 10 e ( x) ( x +2 )

7. Find y’ if y = arc sin (cos x)

a. -1 b. -2 c. 1 d. 2 e. 0

8. What is the first derivative of the expression (xy) x = e?

( 1−ln xy )
a. 0 d. -y
x2
x −y
b. e. ( 1+ln xy )
y x
y
c. ( 1+ln xy )
x
Assessing Learning_________________________________________________________________

Activity 2
Name: _____________________ Score: _______________
Section: ____________________ Date: ________________

Solve the following problems neatly.

2
1. y= ( tan x+ cot x )

2. y=4 sec √ x 3 +1

1−u
3. y= , u=sin 2 x
1+u

4. y=2 x +sin ( y−2 x )

5. y= Arccsc √ 3 x+ 2
6. y= ( x −1 ) √ 2 x −x2 +sin −1 ( x−1 )
1
7. y=cot−1 −tan −1 x
x
8. y= √ x 2−1−sec −1 x
9. y=x tan −1 x−ln √ x 2 +1
10. y=ln √ x + √ ln x
11. y=x x+e
3
12. y= [ 10 (2 x+3 ) ]
13. (xy)x = e
14. Use logarithmic differentiation to determine the derivative of
y=( x2 −2 ) √ x 2 +10 (2 x−1 )3

References_________________________________________________________

Finley, T. Calculus and Analytic Geometry. Addison-Wesley Publishing

Company,
8th Edition, 1993.

Leithold, L. The Calculus with Analytic Geometry. Harper and Row Publishers,
1990.

Longley, W.R. Elements of Differential Calculus. Ginn and Company. New

Revised
Edition, 1957.

Love, C. and Rainville, E. Differential and Integral Calculus. The Macmillan Co.,
6th Edition, 1970.

Mateo, R.A., Perez, A.P., Ymas Jr., S.E. Integral Calculus, Ymas Publishing
House. 2002.

Peterson, T.S. Calculus with Analytic Geometry. Harper Edition, 1968.

http://faculty.eicc.edu/bwood/ma155supplemental/supplemental9.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperbolic_function

http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcI/DiffHyperTrigFcns.aspx

http://www.mathwisc.edu/ conrad/s08partials.pdf

http://www.math.washington.edu/~aloveles/<ath126Spring2013/PartiaDerivativesPractic
e.pdf

http://evlm.stuba.sk/~partner7/DBfiles/Modules/Differentiation/DiffFunct2Variables.pdf