# functions using chain rule

• Oct 9th 2008, 12:11 PM
bart 1000
functions using chain rule
i have the function
log (x^2+1)
e

and i believe the answer is

2x
x^2+1

but i am not sure what steps to take to get the answer, can anyone help.
• Oct 9th 2008, 12:14 PM
Jhevon
Quote:

Originally Posted by bart 1000
i have the function
log (x^2+1)
e

and i believe the answer is

2x
x^2+1

but i am not sure what steps to take to get the answer, can anyone help.

use the chain rule. it says $\frac d{dx} f(g(x)) = f'(g(x)) \cdot g'(x)$

here your $f(x) = \ln x$ and your $g(x) = x^2 + 1$

what this translates to for the natural log is: $\frac d{dx} \ln u = \frac {u'}u$, where $u$ is a function of $x$

that is, you take the derivative as if the $x^2 + 1$ was a single variable, and then multiply by its derivative, which is $2x$, when done
• Oct 9th 2008, 12:15 PM
Moo
Hello,
Quote:

Originally Posted by bart 1000
i have the function
log (x^2+1)
e

and i believe the answer is

2x
x^2+1

but i am not sure what steps to take to get the answer, can anyone help.

Yes it is the answer ;)
But I don't understand why you want the steps... How did you get the answer, since it is correct ?

In general, let f(x) be a function, $f(x) > 0$

The derivative of $\ln (f(x))$ is, by using chain rule, $\frac{f'(x)}{f(x)}$