Skip to main content
Ch. 7 - Transcendental Functions
Hass - Thomas' Calculus 15th Edition
Hass15th EditionThomas' CalculusISBN: 9780137616077Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 7, Problem 7.P.5

In Exercises 1–24, find the derivative of y with respect to the appropriate variable.
5. y = ln(sin²θ)

Verified step by step guidance
1
Recognize that the function is a composition of functions: \(y = \ln(\sin^{2}\theta)\), which can be rewritten as \(y = \ln((\sin\theta)^{2})\).
Use the logarithmic property to simplify the expression: \(\ln(a^{b}) = b \ln(a)\), so rewrite \(y\) as \(y = 2 \ln(\sin\theta)\).
Differentiate \(y\) with respect to \(\theta\) using the chain rule. The derivative of \(\ln(u)\) with respect to \(\theta\) is \(\frac{1}{u} \cdot \frac{du}{d\theta}\), where \(u = \sin\theta\).
Calculate \(\frac{du}{d\theta}\) where \(u = \sin\theta\), so \(\frac{du}{d\theta} = \cos\theta\).
Combine the results to write the derivative: \(\frac{dy}{d\theta} = 2 \cdot \frac{1}{\sin\theta} \cdot \cos\theta\).

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
1m
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Chain Rule

The chain rule is a method for finding the derivative of a composite function. It states that the derivative of f(g(x)) is f'(g(x)) multiplied by g'(x). This rule is essential when differentiating functions like ln(sin²θ), where one function is nested inside another.
Recommended video:
05:02
Intro to the Chain Rule

Derivative of the Natural Logarithm Function

The derivative of ln(u), where u is a differentiable function of x, is (1/u) times the derivative of u. This property allows us to differentiate logarithmic functions by first identifying the inner function and then applying the chain rule.
Recommended video:
05:18
Derivative of the Natural Logarithmic Function

Derivative of Trigonometric Functions

Understanding the derivatives of basic trigonometric functions is crucial. For example, the derivative of sin(θ) with respect to θ is cos(θ). When differentiating sin²θ, the chain rule applies again, treating sin²θ as (sin θ)².
Recommended video:
06:35
Derivatives of Other Inverse Trigonometric Functions