Math Problem Statement

Find the derivative of f(x) = x^(2x).

Solution

From the uploaded images, I can see the problem involves finding the derivative of the function:

f(x)=x2xf(x) = x^{2x}

To differentiate this function, we will use logarithmic differentiation.

Steps:

  1. Take the natural logarithm (ln) on both sides: lnf(x)=ln(x2x)\ln f(x) = \ln \left( x^{2x} \right)

  2. Simplify using the logarithmic property ln(ab)=blna\ln(a^b) = b \ln a: lnf(x)=2xlnx\ln f(x) = 2x \ln x

  3. Differentiate both sides with respect to xx, remembering that f(x)f(x) depends on xx: 1f(x)ddxf(x)=ddx(2xlnx)\frac{1}{f(x)} \frac{d}{dx} f(x) = \frac{d}{dx}(2x \ln x)

  4. Compute the derivative of 2xlnx2x \ln x using the product rule: ddx(2xlnx)=2ddx(xlnx)=2(lnx+1)\frac{d}{dx}(2x \ln x) = 2 \cdot \frac{d}{dx}(x \ln x) = 2 \left( \ln x + 1 \right)

  5. Substitute into the equation: 1f(x)ddxf(x)=2(lnx+1)\frac{1}{f(x)} \frac{d}{dx} f(x) = 2 (\ln x + 1)

  6. Solve for ddxf(x)\frac{d}{dx} f(x): ddxf(x)=f(x)2(lnx+1)\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = f(x) \cdot 2 (\ln x + 1)

  7. Replace f(x)f(x) with x2xx^{2x}: ddxf(x)=x2x2(lnx+1)\frac{d}{dx} f(x) = x^{2x} \cdot 2 (\ln x + 1)

Final Answer:

ddx(x2x)=x2x2(lnx+1)\frac{d}{dx} \big(x^{2x}\big) = x^{2x} \cdot 2 (\ln x + 1)

Would you like further clarification or a step-by-step walkthrough?

Here are some related questions for deeper understanding:

  1. What is logarithmic differentiation, and why is it useful here?
  2. How does the product rule apply to the derivative of xlnxx \ln x?
  3. Could the derivative be verified using numerical approximations?
  4. How would this differ if the base of the power were not xx?
  5. How does this derivative behave for small or large values of xx?

Tip: Use logarithmic differentiation whenever the variable is both in the base and the exponent, as it simplifies the process significantly!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Logarithmic Differentiation
Derivatives
Product Rule

Formulas

ln(a^b) = b * ln(a)
Derivative of ln(u): d/dx[ln(u)] = 1/u * du/dx
Product Rule: d/dx[u*v] = u'*v + u*v'

Theorems

Logarithmic Differentiation

Suitable Grade Level

College Calculus