If you're seeing this message, it means we're having trouble loading external resources on our website.

If you're behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains *.kastatic.org and *.kasandbox.org are unblocked.

Main content

Differentiating exponential functions review

Review your exponential function differentiation skills and use them to solve problems.

How do I differentiate exponential functions?

First, you should know the derivatives for the basic exponential functions:
start fraction, d, divided by, d, x, end fraction, left parenthesis, e, start superscript, x, end superscript, right parenthesis, equals, e, start superscript, x, end superscript
start fraction, d, divided by, d, x, end fraction, left parenthesis, a, start superscript, x, end superscript, right parenthesis, equals, natural log, left parenthesis, a, right parenthesis, dot, a, start superscript, x, end superscript
Notice that e, start superscript, x, end superscript is a specific case of the general form a, start superscript, x, end superscript where a, equals, e. Since natural log, left parenthesis, e, right parenthesis, equals, 1 we obtain the same result.
You can actually use the derivative of e, start superscript, x, end superscript (along with the chain rule) to obtain the general derivative of a, start superscript, x, end superscript.
Want to learn more about differentiating exponential functions? Check out this video.

Practice set 1: exponent is x

Problem 1.1
  • Current
f, left parenthesis, x, right parenthesis, equals, minus, 4, e, start superscript, x, end superscript
f, prime, left parenthesis, x, right parenthesis, equals, question mark
Choose 1 answer:

Want to try more problems like this? Check out this exercise.

Practice set 2: exponent is a polynomial

Problem 2.1
  • Current
y, equals, e, start superscript, left parenthesis, 3, x, squared, minus, 4, right parenthesis, end superscript
start fraction, d, y, divided by, d, x, end fraction, equals, question mark
Choose 1 answer:

Want to try more problems like this? Check out this exercise.

Want to join the conversation?