As we develop these formulas, we need to make certain basic assumptions. Just as when we found the derivatives of other functions, we can find the derivatives of exponential and logarithmic functions using formulas. Logarithmic functions can help rescale large quantities and are particularly helpful for rewriting complicated expressions. As we discussed in Introduction to Functions and Graphs, exponential functions play an important role in modeling population growth and the decay of radioactive materials. In this section, we explore derivatives of exponential and logarithmic functions.
So far, we have learned how to differentiate a variety of functions, including trigonometric, inverse, and implicit functions.
3.9.1 Find the derivative of exponential functions.
