# When taking the derivative of $8 \log \frac{x}{10}$, do we ignore the factor of $\frac{1}{10}$? Why?

In the midterm of probability in my university, they demand for us to calculate the derivative of $$h(x)=8\times\log_e{(\frac{x}{10})}$$ and i find $$h(x)^=\frac{8}{10x}$$ but in the solution they write $$h(x)^=\frac{8}{x}$$ , i repeat the operation a lot of time but i can't find the same result, i know that this derivative was simple but i was really confused! how to find the same result and why we ignore 10 ? the second question, in the exponential low, we find $$\lambda = \frac{1}{8}$$ and in the correction of the teacher he write that the $$E(x)=\frac{1}{8}$$ not 8, i really want to know how!

• 1) How do you find $\frac8{10x}$? A still wrong but less surprising answer would be $\frac8{x/10}$. 2) Hint: $\log(x/10)=\log(x)-\log(10)$, and the derivative of a constant is $0$. Apr 21 at 6:40

Looks like you forgot the chain rule: $$\frac{d}{dx}8\ln\left(\frac{x}{10}\right)=\frac{8}{x/10}\cdot\frac{d}{dx}\frac{x}{10}=\frac{10\cdot8}{x}\cdot\frac{1}{10}=\frac{8}{x}.$$
Since $$\ln\left(\frac x{10}\right)=\ln(x)-\ln(10)$$, and $$\ln(10)$$ is constant, the derivative of $$\ln\left(\frac x{10}\right)$$ is the same as that of $$\ln(x)$$.
In general, if $$f(x)=\ln(ax)$$, then $$f'(x)=\frac1x$$, and we can ignore the constant $$a$$ inside the logarithm. Geometrically this is because for the logarithm, stretching or compressing the graph in the $$x$$-direction is equivalent to moving it in the $$y$$-direction. (Which is related to the fact that moving the graph of the exponential function in the $$x$$-direction is equivalent to stretching it in the $$y$$-direction due to $$e^{x-a}=e^{-a}e^x$$.)
The text passage contains a mathematical question about the derivative of a logarithmic function and an answer to that question, as well as a secondary question about an exponential distribution and its expected value, with an answer provided.
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Given a text passage, determine:
    1. If it contains a mathematical question (including word problems or calculations)
    2. If an answer to that mathematical question is provided in the text

First, describe the content structure you found in 1-2 sentences.

Then provide your analysis in the following format:
TYPE: <one of the following values>
- NO_QUESTION
- SINGLE_QUESTION
- SINGLE_QUESTION_WITH_ANSWER
- MULTIPLE_QUESTIONS
- MULTIPLE_QUESTIONS_WITH_ANSWERS
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# When taking the derivative of $8 \log \frac{x}{10}$, do we ignore the factor of $\frac{1}{10}$? Why?

In the midterm of probability in my university, they demand for us to calculate the derivative of $$h(x)=8\times\log_e{(\frac{x}{10})}$$ and i find $$h(x)^=\frac{8}{10x}$$ but in the solution they write $$h(x)^=\frac{8}{x}$$ , i repeat the operation a lot of time but i can't find the same result, i know that this derivative was simple but i was really confused! how to find the same result and why we ignore 10 ? the second question, in the exponential low, we find $$\lambda = \frac{1}{8}$$ and in the correction of the teacher he write that the $$E(x)=\frac{1}{8}$$ not 8, i really want to know how!

• 1) How do you find $\frac8{10x}$? A still wrong but less surprising answer would be $\frac8{x/10}$. 2) Hint: $\log(x/10)=\log(x)-\log(10)$, and the derivative of a constant is $0$. Apr 21 at 6:40

Looks like you forgot the chain rule: $$\frac{d}{dx}8\ln\left(\frac{x}{10}\right)=\frac{8}{x/10}\cdot\frac{d}{dx}\frac{x}{10}=\frac{10\cdot8}{x}\cdot\frac{1}{10}=\frac{8}{x}.$$
Since $$\ln\left(\frac x{10}\right)=\ln(x)-\ln(10)$$, and $$\ln(10)$$ is constant, the derivative of $$\ln\left(\frac x{10}\right)$$ is the same as that of $$\ln(x)$$.
In general, if $$f(x)=\ln(ax)$$, then $$f'(x)=\frac1x$$, and we can ignore the constant $$a$$ inside the logarithm. Geometrically this is because for the logarithm, stretching or compressing the graph in the $$x$$-direction is equivalent to moving it in the $$y$$-direction. (Which is related to the fact that moving the graph of the exponential function in the $$x$$-direction is equivalent to stretching it in the $$y$$-direction due to $$e^{x-a}=e^{-a}e^x$$.)
user
The text passage contains a mathematical question about the derivative of a logarithmic function and an answer to that question, as well as a secondary question about an exponential distribution and its expected value, with an answer provided.

TYPE: MULTIPLE_QUESTIONS_WITH_ANSWERS