Math Problem Statement

Find dy/dx for the function y = x^(-3cos(x)).

Solution

The given function is:

y=x3cos(x)y = x^{-3 \cos(x)}

We need to find the derivative dydx\frac{dy}{dx}. This is a product of a power function and a trigonometric function, so we will apply logarithmic differentiation.

Steps:

  1. Take the natural logarithm of both sides of the equation to simplify the power: ln(y)=ln(x3cos(x))=3cos(x)ln(x)\ln(y) = \ln(x^{-3 \cos(x)}) = -3 \cos(x) \ln(x)

  2. Differentiate both sides with respect to xx. On the left side, use implicit differentiation, and on the right side, apply the product rule.

    For the left side: ddx[ln(y)]=1ydydx\frac{d}{dx} [\ln(y)] = \frac{1}{y} \cdot \frac{dy}{dx}

    For the right side: [ \frac{d}{dx} [-3 \cos(x) \ln(x)] = -3 \left( \frac{d}{dx} [\cos(x)] \ln(x) + \cos(x) \frac{d}{dx} [\ln(x)] \right) ] This expands to: 3((sin(x))ln(x)+cos(x)1x)-3 \left( (-\sin(x)) \ln(x) + \cos(x) \cdot \frac{1}{x} \right) Simplifying further: 3(sin(x)ln(x)+cos(x)x)-3 \left( -\sin(x) \ln(x) + \frac{\cos(x)}{x} \right) This becomes: 3sin(x)ln(x)3cos(x)x3 \sin(x) \ln(x) - \frac{3 \cos(x)}{x}

  3. Combine both sides: 1ydydx=3sin(x)ln(x)3cos(x)x\frac{1}{y} \frac{dy}{dx} = 3 \sin(x) \ln(x) - \frac{3 \cos(x)}{x}

  4. Multiply by yy (which is x3cos(x)x^{-3 \cos(x)}) to isolate dydx\frac{dy}{dx}: dydx=x3cos(x)(3sin(x)ln(x)3cos(x)x)\frac{dy}{dx} = x^{-3 \cos(x)} \left( 3 \sin(x) \ln(x) - \frac{3 \cos(x)}{x} \right)

Thus, the derivative of y=x3cos(x)y = x^{-3 \cos(x)} is:

dydx=x3cos(x)(3sin(x)ln(x)3cos(x)x)\frac{dy}{dx} = x^{-3 \cos(x)} \left( 3 \sin(x) \ln(x) - \frac{3 \cos(x)}{x} \right)

Let me know if you need further clarification or have any questions! Here are some related questions for further practice:

  1. How would you differentiate y=xacos(x)y = x^{a \cos(x)} where aa is a constant?
  2. Can you apply logarithmic differentiation to functions like y=ex2sin(x)y = e^{x^2 \sin(x)}?
  3. How does the product rule work when differentiating products of functions?
  4. What is the general form for the derivative of xnx^n when nn is a function of xx?
  5. How do you differentiate a logarithmic function like y=ln(x2+x)y = \ln(x^2 + x)?

Tip: Always remember to apply the chain rule carefully when differentiating composite functions, especially when they involve products or powers.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Logarithmic Differentiation
Product Rule
Implicit Differentiation
Trigonometric Functions

Formulas

y = x^{-3 \cos(x)}
\frac{dy}{dx} = x^{-3 \cos(x)} \left( 3 \sin(x) \ln(x) - \frac{3 \cos(x)}{x} \right)

Theorems

Chain Rule
Product Rule

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12 (Calculus)