To find the derivative of the function \( y = \ln \sqrt{x+6} \), we can use the chain rule. First, rewrite the function as \( y = \frac{1}{2} \ln(x+6) \). Then, differentiate using the chain rule: the derivative of \( \ln(u) \) is \( \frac{1}{u} \cdot u' \).
Step 1: Rewrite the Function
The given function is \( y = \ln \sqrt{x+6} \). We can rewrite this function using the property of logarithms: \( \ln \sqrt{u} = \frac{1}{2} \ln u \). Therefore, the function becomes:
\[ y = \frac{1}{2} \ln(x+6) \]
Step 2: Differentiate Using the Chain Rule
To find the derivative \( y' \), we apply the chain rule. The derivative of \( \ln(u) \) is \( \frac{1}{u} \cdot u' \). Here, \( u = x+6 \), so \( u' = 1 \). Therefore, the derivative is:
\[ y' = \frac{1}{2} \cdot \frac{1}{x+6} \cdot 1 = \frac{1}{2(x+6)} \]
Final Answer
The derivative of the function is:
\[ \boxed{y' = \frac{1}{2(x+6)}} \]