# Math Help - Finding Derivatives of Functions

1. ## Finding Derivatives of Functions

I am working on some homework and am stuck when it comes to problems like these:

Find ds/dt if s=ln[t^8(t^7-2)]

Thanks for the help!

2. ## Re: Finding Derivatives of Functions

Where is the problem? Do you know the derivative of ln(u) where u is a function? ...
You have to use the 'chain rule'.

3. ## Re: Finding Derivatives of Functions

I think that u= t^7-2 so therefore the derivative would be 7t^6

4. ## Re: Finding Derivatives of Functions

Originally Posted by StarDancer19
I am working on some homework and am stuck when it comes to problems like these:

Find ds/dt if s=ln[t^8(t^7-2)]

Thanks for the help!
One way is to use $ln(ab)=lna+lnb$

$\frac{d}{dt}ln\left[t^8\left(t^7-2\right)\right]=\frac{d}{dt}lnt^8+\frac{d}{dt}ln\left(t^7-2\right)$

$x=t^8,\;\;y=t^7-2$

$\frac{ds}{dt}=\frac{d}{dt}lnx+\frac{d}{dt}lny$

$=\frac{dx}{dt}\;\frac{d}{dx}lnx+\frac{dy}{dt}\; \frac{d}{dy}lny$

You could also first evaluate $t^8\left(t^7-2\right)=t^{15}-2t^8$
and work from there.

5. ## Re: Finding Derivatives of Functions

Why not: u=t^8(t^7-2)=t^15-2t^8?
You know:
D(ln(u))=D(u)/u

Can you finish it? ...

6. ## Re: Finding Derivatives of Functions

Yeah, I guess that the t^8 would also be apart of the u. But no, I'm still confused on how to finish it.