Calculus Examples

$y = \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})$

Step 1

Let $y = f (x)$ , take the natural logarithm of both sides $\ln (y) = \ln (f (x))$ .

$\ln (y) = \ln (\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x}))$

Step 2

Differentiate the expression using the chain rule, keeping in mind that $y$ is a function of $x$ .

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Step 2.1

Differentiate the left hand side $\ln (y)$ using the chain rule.

$\frac{y'}{y} = \ln (\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x}))$

Step 2.2

Differentiate the right hand side.

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Step 2.2.1

Differentiate $\ln (\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x}))$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{d}{d x} [\ln (\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x}))]$

Step 2.2.2

Differentiate using the chain rule, which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [f (g (x))]$ is $f' (g (x)) g' (x)$ where $f (x) = \ln (x)$ and $g (x) = \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})$ .

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Step 2.2.2.1

To apply the Chain Rule, set $u_{1}$ as $\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{d}{d u_{1}} [\ln (u_{1})] \frac{d}{d x} [\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})]$

Step 2.2.2.2

The derivative of $\ln (u_{1})$ with respect to $u_{1}$ is $\frac{1}{u_{1}}$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{u_{1}} \frac{d}{d x} [\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})]$

Step 2.2.2.3

Replace all occurrences of $u_{1}$ with $\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} \frac{d}{d x} [\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})]$

Step 2.2.3

Differentiate using the chain rule, which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [f (g (x))]$ is $f' (g (x)) g' (x)$ where $f (x) = \ln (x)$ and $g (x) = e^{- x} + x e^{- x}$ .

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Step 2.2.3.1

To apply the Chain Rule, set $u_{2}$ as $e^{- x} + x e^{- x}$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (\frac{d}{d u_{2}} [\ln (u_{2})] \frac{d}{d x} [e^{- x} + x e^{- x}])$

Step 2.2.3.2

The derivative of $\ln (u_{2})$ with respect to $u_{2}$ is $\frac{1}{u_{2}}$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (\frac{1}{u_{2}} \frac{d}{d x} [e^{- x} + x e^{- x}])$

Step 2.2.3.3

Replace all occurrences of $u_{2}$ with $e^{- x} + x e^{- x}$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (\frac{1}{e^{- x} + x e^{- x}} \frac{d}{d x} [e^{- x} + x e^{- x}])$

Step 2.2.4

Differentiate using the Sum Rule.

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Step 2.2.4.1

Multiply $\frac{1}{e^{- x} + x e^{- x}}$ by $\frac{1}{\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})}$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} \frac{d}{d x} [e^{- x} + x e^{- x}]$

Step 2.2.4.2

By the Sum Rule, the derivative of $e^{- x} + x e^{- x}$ with respect to $x$ is $\frac{d}{d x} [e^{- x}] + \frac{d}{d x} [x e^{- x}]$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (\frac{d}{d x} [e^{- x}] + \frac{d}{d x} [x e^{- x}])$

Step 2.2.5

Differentiate using the chain rule, which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [f (g (x))]$ is $f' (g (x)) g' (x)$ where $f (x) = e^{x}$ and $g (x) = - x$ .

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Step 2.2.5.1

To apply the Chain Rule, set $u_{3}$ as $- x$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (\frac{d}{d u_{3}} [e^{u_{3}}] \frac{d}{d x} [- x] + \frac{d}{d x} [x e^{- x}])$

Step 2.2.5.2

Differentiate using the Exponential Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d u_{3}} [a^{u_{3}}]$ is $a^{u_{3}} \ln (a)$ where $a$ = $e$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (e^{u_{3}} \frac{d}{d x} [- x] + \frac{d}{d x} [x e^{- x}])$

Step 2.2.5.3

Replace all occurrences of $u_{3}$ with $- x$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (e^{- x} \frac{d}{d x} [- x] + \frac{d}{d x} [x e^{- x}])$

Step 2.2.6

Differentiate.

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Step 2.2.6.1

Since $- 1$ is constant with respect to $x$ , the derivative of $- x$ with respect to $x$ is $- \frac{d}{d x} [x]$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (e^{- x} (- \frac{d}{d x} [x]) + \frac{d}{d x} [x e^{- x}])$

Step 2.2.6.2

Differentiate using the Power Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [x^{n}]$ is $n x^{n - 1}$ where $n = 1$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (e^{- x} (- 1 \cdot 1) + \frac{d}{d x} [x e^{- x}])$

Step 2.2.6.3

Simplify the expression.

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Step 2.2.6.3.1

Multiply $- 1$ by $1$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (e^{- x} \cdot - 1 + \frac{d}{d x} [x e^{- x}])$

Step 2.2.6.3.2

Move $- 1$ to the left of $e^{- x}$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (- 1 \cdot e^{- x} + \frac{d}{d x} [x e^{- x}])$

Step 2.2.6.3.3

Rewrite $- 1 e^{- x}$ as $- e^{- x}$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (- e^{- x} + \frac{d}{d x} [x e^{- x}])$

Step 2.2.7

Differentiate using the Product Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [f (x) g (x)]$ is $f (x) \frac{d}{d x} [g (x)] + g (x) \frac{d}{d x} [f (x)]$ where $f (x) = x$ and $g (x) = e^{- x}$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (- e^{- x} + x \frac{d}{d x} [e^{- x}] + e^{- x} \frac{d}{d x} [x])$

Step 2.2.8

Differentiate using the chain rule, which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [f (g (x))]$ is $f' (g (x)) g' (x)$ where $f (x) = e^{x}$ and $g (x) = - x$ .

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Step 2.2.8.1

To apply the Chain Rule, set $u_{4}$ as $- x$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (- e^{- x} + x (\frac{d}{d u_{4}} [e^{u_{4}}] \frac{d}{d x} [- x]) + e^{- x} \frac{d}{d x} [x])$

Step 2.2.8.2

Differentiate using the Exponential Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d u_{4}} [a^{u_{4}}]$ is $a^{u_{4}} \ln (a)$ where $a$ = $e$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (- e^{- x} + x (e^{u_{4}} \frac{d}{d x} [- x]) + e^{- x} \frac{d}{d x} [x])$

Step 2.2.8.3

Replace all occurrences of $u_{4}$ with $- x$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (- e^{- x} + x (e^{- x} \frac{d}{d x} [- x]) + e^{- x} \frac{d}{d x} [x])$

Step 2.2.9

Differentiate.

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Step 2.2.9.1

Since $- 1$ is constant with respect to $x$ , the derivative of $- x$ with respect to $x$ is $- \frac{d}{d x} [x]$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (- e^{- x} + x (e^{- x} (- \frac{d}{d x} [x])) + e^{- x} \frac{d}{d x} [x])$

Step 2.2.9.2

Differentiate using the Power Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [x^{n}]$ is $n x^{n - 1}$ where $n = 1$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (- e^{- x} + x (e^{- x} (- 1 \cdot 1)) + e^{- x} \frac{d}{d x} [x])$

Step 2.2.9.3

Simplify the expression.

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Step 2.2.9.3.1

Multiply $- 1$ by $1$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (- e^{- x} + x (e^{- x} \cdot - 1) + e^{- x} \frac{d}{d x} [x])$

Step 2.2.9.3.2

Move $- 1$ to the left of $e^{- x}$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (- e^{- x} + x (- 1 \cdot e^{- x}) + e^{- x} \frac{d}{d x} [x])$

Step 2.2.9.3.3

Rewrite $- 1 e^{- x}$ as $- e^{- x}$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (- e^{- x} + x (- e^{- x}) + e^{- x} \frac{d}{d x} [x])$

Step 2.2.9.4

Differentiate using the Power Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [x^{n}]$ is $n x^{n - 1}$ where $n = 1$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (- e^{- x} + x (- e^{- x}) + e^{- x} \cdot 1)$

Step 2.2.9.5

Simplify terms.

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Step 2.2.9.5.1

Multiply $e^{- x}$ by $1$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (- e^{- x} + x (- e^{- x}) + e^{- x})$

Step 2.2.9.5.2

Add $- e^{- x}$ and $e^{- x}$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (x (- e^{- x}) + 0)$

Step 2.2.9.5.3

Add $x (- e^{- x})$ and $0$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (x (- e^{- x}))$

Step 2.2.9.5.4

Combine $x$ and $\frac{1}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})}$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{x}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})} (- e^{- x})$

Step 2.2.9.5.5

Combine $\frac{x}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})}$ and $e^{- x}$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = - \frac{x e^{- x}}{(e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})}$

Step 2.2.10

Simplify.

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Step 2.2.10.1

Factor $e^{- x}$ out of $e^{- x} + x e^{- x}$ .

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Step 2.2.10.1.1

Multiply by $1$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = - \frac{x e^{- x}}{(e^{- x} \cdot 1 + x e^{- x}) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})}$

Step 2.2.10.1.2

Factor $e^{- x}$ out of $x e^{- x}$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = - \frac{x e^{- x}}{(e^{- x} \cdot 1 + e^{- x} x) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})}$

Step 2.2.10.1.3

Factor $e^{- x}$ out of $e^{- x} \cdot 1 + e^{- x} x$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = - \frac{x e^{- x}}{e^{- x} (1 + x) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})}$

Step 2.2.10.2

Cancel the common factor of $e^{- x}$ .

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Step 2.2.10.2.1

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{y'}{y} = - \frac{x e^{- x}}{e^{- x} (1 + x) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})}$

Step 2.2.10.2.2

Rewrite the expression.

$\frac{y'}{y} = - \frac{x}{(1 + x) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})}$

Step 2.2.10.3

Reorder factors in $- \frac{x}{(1 + x) \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})}$ .

$\frac{y'}{y} = - \frac{x}{\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) (1 + x)}$

Step 3

Isolate $y'$ and substitute the original function for $y$ in the right hand side.

$y' = - \frac{x}{\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) (1 + x)} \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})$

Step 4

Simplify the right hand side.

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Step 4.1

Cancel the common factor of $\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})$ .

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Step 4.1.1

Move the leading negative in $- \frac{x}{\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) (1 + x)}$ into the numerator.

$y' = \frac{- x}{\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) (1 + x)} \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})$

Step 4.1.2

Cancel the common factor.

$y' = \frac{- x}{\ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x}) (1 + x)} \ln (e^{- x} + x e^{- x})$

Step 4.1.3

Rewrite the expression.

$y' = \frac{- x}{1 + x}$

Step 4.2

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$y' = - \frac{x}{1 + x}$