Chain Rule: Solving y' for y=cot^7(x^5)

[delfam]

Homework Statement

y=cot^7(x^5)

Homework Equations

f(x)=f(g(x))

The Attempt at a Solution

u=(x^5)
y'=7(-csc^2)^6(x^5) * 5x^4

 

[Raskolnikov]

Here, you actually have three functions, so you have to apply the chain rule twice.

We have f(g(h(x))), where

h(x) = x^5

g(x) = cot(x)

f(x) = x^7

When applying the chain rule, the approach is from "outside to inside," in that we start from the outer most function and systematically go towards the innermost function. Remember, when doing the chain rule, each step is distinct.

You have: 7(-csc^2)^6...

You were correct in taking the derivative of f(x) = x^7 first; however, you need to let everything inside f(x) remain untouched during this step. Meaning, for f(g(h(x)), we leave g(h(x)) untouched.

So what you should have had is: 7cot^6(x^5)...

Try to do the rest by yourself.

 

[delfam]

so is it

7cot^6(x^5) * (-csc^2)(x^5) * 5x^4

= -35x^4 * cot^6(x^5) * csc^2 * x^5

 

[Raskolnikov]

yep!

 

[delfam]

I still have a question, when you have cot^7 i get leaving it alone to begin with, but then when you take the derivative to get -csc^2, why don't you drop the 7 to get -7(csc^2)^6

 

[Raskolnikov]

Because it's

[f( g(x) )]' = f'(g(x)) * g'(x),

and not

[f( g(x) )]' = f'(g'(x)).

 

[HallsofIvy]

In other words, to differentiate cot^7(x^5) you think: "The 'outer' function is a 7th power so first I have 7 cot^6(x^5). Now the 'next' inner function is a cotangent, "cot(x^5)", so I have to multiply that by its derivative: -csc^2(x^5). Finally, the last function is x^5 so that has to be multiplied by its derivative, 5x^4.

Altogether,
(cot^7(x^5))'= (7 cot^6(x^5))(-csc^2(x^5))(5x^4)= -35x^4cot^6(x^5)csc(x^5)