What is the derivative of f(x)=log_4(e^x+3) ?

1 Answer
Aug 6, 2014

First, we will rewrite the function in terms of natural logarithms, using the change-of-base rule:

f(x) = ln(e^x + 3)/ln4

Differentiating will require use of the chain rule:

d/dx f(x) = 1/ln 4 * d/(d(e^x + 3))[ln(e^x + 3)] * d/dx[e^x + 3]

We know that since the derivative of ln x with respect to x is 1/x, then the derivative of ln(e^x + 3) with respect to e^x + 3 will be 1/(e^x + 3). We also know that the derivative of e^x + 3 with respect to x will simply be e^x:

d/dx f(x) = 1/ln 4 * 1/(e^x + 3) * (e^x)

Simplifying yields:

d/dx f(x) = (e^x)/(ln 4(e^x + 3))