DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

MODULE 7

DIFFERENTIATION OF
EXPONENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Laws of Exponent
The laws of exponent are listed below for your quick reference. Let a, b, m, and n
be non-zero numbers or quantity.

I. am ∙ an = a m + n

am
II. = am – n
an

III. am ∙ bm = (ab)m

IV. (am)n = amn

V. a0 = 1
1
VI. a-n =
an

Radicals
Radicals abide by the laws of exponent since they can be expressed exponentially.

√𝑎𝑚 where n is the index of the radical (always positive) and am is the radicand
𝑛

√am = am/n “nth root of am”

n
I.

√an = an/n = 1
n
II.
n n n
III. √a ∙ √b = √ab
n
√a n a
IV. n = √
√b b

Differential Calculus | Derivatives of Exponential Functions | Page 1 of 7

Derivatives of Exponential Functions
Let u and v be a differentiable function of x and a ≠ 0, 1.
d du
I. ( au ) = au ∙ ln a ∙
dx dx
d du
II. ( eu ) = eu ∙
dx dx
d d
III. ( uv ) = uv ∙ ( v ln u )
dx dx

Proof of I and II:

For au, let y = au

ln y = ln au Take ln of both sides.

ln y = u ln a
d d
( ln y ) = ( u ln a ) Differentiate both sides with respect to x.
dx dx
1 d du
∙ (y) = ln a ∙ ln a is a constant.
y dx dx
dy du
= y ln a ∙ Replace y by au, since given.
dx dx
d du
∴ ( au ) = au ln a ∙
dx dx

For eu, simply replace a by e. Then,

d du du du
∴ ( eu ) = eu ln e ∙ = eu ∙ 1 ∙ = eu ∙
dx dx dx dx

Remarks on the three formulas:

All of the three formulas copy the given exponential functions.

Differential Calculus | Derivatives of Exponential Functions | Page 2 of 7

EXAMPLE 1. Find y’ of y = 53x – 2

Here a = 5 and u = 3x – 2
dy d
∴ = ( 53x – 2 )
dx dx
d
= 53x – 2 ln 5 ∙ ( 3x – 2 )
dx

= 53x – 2 ln 5 ∙ 3 Note that 5 is “protected” inside ln.

= 53x – 2 ( 3 ln 5 ) Be careful! Baka mamaya ln 15 sagot niyo dyan.

or 53x – 2 ln 125 Ans.

2 + 2x
EXAMPLE 2. Find y’ of y = 4x
2 + 2x d
∴ y’ = 4x ln 4 ∙ ( x2 + 2x )
dx
2
= 4x + 2x
ln 4 ∙ ( 2x + 2 ) Grouping symbols!
2+
= 4x 2x
( 2x + 2 ) ln 4 Ans.
You can still express the answer into different equivalent forms by applying laws of
exponent and properties of logarithm, but be careful and be sure you do not disobey any
mathematical rule and law.
2 +2x)
= 22(x ∙ 2 ( x + 1 ) ∙ 2 ln 2
2 + 4x + 1 + 1
= 22x ( x + 1 ) ln 2
2 + 4x
= 22x +2
( x + 1 ) ln 2 Ans.
2 + 2x
or = 22(x + 1)
( x + 1 ) ln 2
2 + 2x
= 4x +1
( x + 1 ) ln 2 Ans.

Differential Calculus | Derivatives of Exponential Functions | Page 3 of 7

EXAMPLE 3. Find y’ of y = (5b)sin x Note: 5 is included in the base. This is not the

same as 5bsin x

d
∴ y’ = (5b)sin x
dx
d
= (5b)sin x ln 5b ∙ ( sin x )
dx
d
= (5b)sin x ln 5b ∙ cos x ∙ (x)
dx

= (5b)sin x cos x (ln 5b) Ans.

EXAMPLE 4. Find the first derivative of y = ecsc x

d
∴ y’ = ( ecsc x )
dx
d
= ecsc x ∙ ( csc x )
dx

= ecsc x ∙ (-csc x cot x)

= - ecsc xcsc x cot x Ans.

EXAMPLE 5. Find the first derivative of y = xex. This takes the form u ∙ v

d
∴ y’ = ( xex )
dx
d d
=x∙ ( ex ) + ex ∙ (x)
dx dx

= xex + ex

= ex ( x + 1 ) Ans.

Differential Calculus | Derivatives of Exponential Functions | Page 4 of 7

 ex + e-x
EXAMPLE 6. Find y’ of y =
2
ex + e-x 1
y= = ( ex + e-x )
2 2
1 d d
∴ y’ = [ ( ex ) + ( e-x ) ] Grouping symbols!
2 dx dx
1 d
= [ ex + e-x ∙ ( -x ) ]
2 dx
ex − e-x
= Ans.
2

EXAMPLE 7. Find y’ of y = xx. This one takes the form uv

d
∴ y’ = ( xx )
dx
d
= xx ∙ ( x ln x )
dx
d d
= xx [ x ∙ ( ln x ) + ln x ∙ (x)] → Product Rule
dx dx
1 dx
= xx [ x ∙ ∙ + ln x ]
x dx

= xx ( 1 + ln x ) Ans.

EXAMPLE 8. Find y’ of xy = exy

d d
( xy ) = ( exy )
dx dx
d
xy' + y = exy ( xy )
dx

xy' + y = exy ( xy' + y ) Warning! Do not cancel out xy’ + y

xy' + y = exyxy' + exyy

Differential Calculus | Derivatives of Exponential Functions | Page 5 of 7

 xy' – exyxy' = exyy – y

y' ( x – exyx ) = y ( exy – 1 )

y ( exy −1 )
y' =
x( 1 − exy )
y ( exy − 1 )
=
x [-1( exy −1 )]
y
=– Ans.
x

EXAMPLE 9. Use the chain rule to find y’, given y = 5au and u = ln sin x.

dy d
∴ = ( 5au )
du du
d
=5∙ ( au )
du

= 5au ln a

du d
∴ = ( ln sin x )
dx dx
1 d
= ∙ ( sin x )
sin x dx
1
= ∙ cos x
sin x
= cot x
dy du
∴ y’ = ∙
du dx

= 5au ln a ∙ cot x

= 5aln sin x (cot x) ln a Ans.

Note: You must group the terms properly so that it will be understood kung ano ang nasa
loob LANG ng ln, ng cotangent, ng arcsine, and other functions.

Differential Calculus | Derivatives of Exponential Functions | Page 6 of 7

Exercise 7.1
Name: ________________________________________ Date: _________________________
Course, Year and Section: ________________________

I. Find y’.

1. y = 5x4x

2. y = ( 1 – ex )10

3. y = xsin x

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