Chapter 4: Problem 12
Find the derivatives of the functions. $$\ln (\cos (x))$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The derivative of \( \ln(\cos(x)) \) is \( -\tan(x) \).
Step by step solution
01
Recall the Derivative of Natural Logarithm
The derivative of the natural logarithm function \( \ln(u) \) where \( u \) is a function of \( x \) is \( \frac{1}{u} \cdot u' \). In our function, \( u = \cos(x) \).
02
Find the Derivative of \( \cos(x) \)
Compute the derivative of \( \cos(x) \), which is \( -\sin(x) \). So, \( u' = -\sin(x) \).
03
Apply the Chain Rule
Using the chain rule, substitute the function and its derivative into the formula: \( \frac{1}{\cos(x)} \cdot (-\sin(x)) \).
04
Simplify the Expression
Simplify the expression: \( \frac{-\sin(x)}{\cos(x)} \). This reduces to \( -\tan(x) \) because \( \tan(x) = \frac{\sin(x)}{\cos(x)} \).
05
Write the Final Derivative
The derivative of \( \ln(\cos(x)) \) is \( -\tan(x) \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Natural Logarithm Derivative
The derivative of the natural logarithm function is a fundamental concept in calculus that often appears in simple and complex problems alike. When you take the derivative of a natural logarithm such as \( \ln(u) \), where \( u \) is a function of \( x \), the rule to apply is as follows:
- The derivative is \( \frac{1}{u} \cdot u' \), where \( u' \) is the derivative of \( u \).
- In essence, you're dividing 1 by the argument and multiplying by the derivative of the argument itself.
Chain Rule
The Chain Rule is a powerful tool in differentiation utilized when finding the derivative of compositions of functions. It is used when you have a function nested inside another function, just like in our example with \( \ln(\cos(x)) \). The basic idea is:
- If you have a function \( f(g(x)) \), apply the chain rule by differentiating the outer function \( f \) using \( g \) as its argument, then multiply by the derivative of the inner function \( g(x) \).
- Take the derivative of the outer function while keeping the inner function unchanged.
- Multiply by the derivative of the inner function.
- The outer function is \( \ln(u) \), and its derivative is \( \frac{1}{u} \).
- The inner function is \( \cos(x) \) with a derivative of \( -\sin(x) \).
- By applying the chain rule, you multiply \( \frac{1}{\cos(x)} \) by \( -\sin(x) \).
Trigonometric Functions Derivative
When dealing with derivatives, trigonometric functions often play a crucial role in many problems. In calculus, understanding how to differentiate trig functions like \( \cos(x) \) or \( \sin(x) \) is essential:
- The derivative of \( \cos(x) \) is \( -\sin(x) \). This is a standard result and forms a basis for many calculus operations involving trig functions.
- Knowing the derivatives of basic trig functions allows us to apply rules like the chain rule effectively when they appear as inner functions in composite functions.