# need help taking dervative of (x^3)(lnx) and solving for x

• July 25th 2011, 02:57 AM
NeoSonata
need help taking dervative of (x^3)(lnx) and solving for x
f(x) = (x^3)(lnx)

f'(x) = (3x^2)(lnx) + (x^3)(1/x)

how do solve for x when

(3x^2)(lnx) + (x^3)(1/x) = 0
• July 25th 2011, 03:04 AM
Siron
Re: need help taking dervative of (x^3)(lnx) and solving for x
You have:
$f'(x)=3x^2\cdot \ln(x)+x^2=0$
It can be very useful to wright:
$x^2[3\ln(x)+1]=0$

EDIT:
Also remember: $\ln(0)$ is undefined!
• July 25th 2011, 03:15 AM
NeoSonata
Re: need help taking dervative of (x^3)(lnx) and solving for x
so x = 0 and:

lnx = -1/3

x = e^(-1/3)

correct?

Thanks.
• July 25th 2011, 03:18 AM
Siron
Re: need help taking dervative of (x^3)(lnx) and solving for x
Almost, $x=e^{\frac{-1}{3}}$ is a solution, but see my EDIT, $\ln(0)$ is undefined, so $x=0$ is not a solution.

What you always have to do if you solve logarithmic equations is first determine where the function is defined and undefined (the 'existence conditions'), so at the end you can compare with your 'existence conditions' if the solution(s) satisfies.
(Sorry, I had to say this before :))