Question Detail
Question
Find dy/dx if y = x^(tan x)
Correct Answer
Option D is the correct answer.
Detailed Explanation
This requires logarithmic differentiation. Take the natural logarithm of both sides: ln(y) = ln(xtan x). Using logarithm properties, ln(y) = tan(x) * ln(x). Now differentiate both sides with respect to x using implicit differentiation and the product rule:(1/y) * dy/dx = (d/dx [tan x]) * ln(x) + tan(x) * (d/dx [ln x])(1/y) * dy/dx = sec2(x) * ln(x) + tan(x) * (1/x)Multiply both sides by y: dy/dx = y * (sec2(x) * ln(x) + tan(x)/x).Substitute y = xtan x back: dy/dx = xtan x * (sec2(x) * ln(x) + tan(x)/x). Rearranging the terms inside the parenthesis to match the option: dy/dx = xtan x * (tan(x)/x + sec2(x) * ln(x)).
Hint
When the variable appears in both the base and the exponent, logarithmic differentiation is often the way to go.