What is the derivation for the derivative of a^t Been driving me nuts. Can someone prove to me that (d(a^t))/(dt}=a^t ln(a) Thank you!

Cecilia Tapia

Cecilia Tapia

Open question

2022-08-20

What is the derivation for the derivative of a t
Been driving me nuts. Can someone prove to me that
d ( a t ) d t = a t ln ( a )
Thank you!

Answer & Explanation

Julius Frey

Julius Frey

Beginner2022-08-21Added 4 answers

Express a t as e ln a t , leading to
d ( a t ) d t = d ( e ln a t ) d t = d ( e t ln a ) d t = ( ln a ) ( e t ln a ) = ( ln a ) ( e ln a t ) = a t ln a
This works because by taking the ln ( a t ) then raising e ln a t = a t as such you are not changing the nature of the function.
Shyla Odom

Shyla Odom

Beginner2022-08-22Added 2 answers

d ( a x ) d x = lim Δ x 0 Δ ( a x ) Δ x = lim Δ x 0 a x + Δ x a x Δ x = lim Δ x 0 ( a x a Δ x 1 Δ x ) = a x lim Δ x 0 a Δ x 1 Δ x
This last step works because a is "constant" and "constant" means not depending on Δ x, i.e. not changing as Δ x changes.
= ( a x constant )
and this time "constant" means not depending on x
If a = e then this last "constant" is 1. That is what is "natural" about e
To find the "constant" in other cases, use the chain rule and the laws of exponents. Others have posted the details of that step here.

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