Chain rule with second derivative

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Homework Help Overview

The original poster attempts to find the second derivative of the function xe^x, indicating the use of the chain rule and product rule in their calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the chain rule and product rule, with the original poster detailing their method for finding the first and second derivatives. Some participants clarify the distinction between the two rules.

Discussion Status

There is acknowledgment of the original poster's approach, with some participants confirming the correctness of the first derivative while also pointing out the misapplication of the chain rule instead of the product rule. The discussion is ongoing with clarifications being made.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the definitions and applications of differentiation rules, particularly in the context of derivatives of products of functions.

beetle2
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Homework Statement



I trying to find the second derivative of xe^x

Homework Equations



chain rule

The Attempt at a Solution



Two find the first derivative I use the chain rule.

f'(y)g(y)+f(y)g'(y)

so I get

e^x+xe^x

is the second derivative

e^x+f'(y)g(y)+f(y)g'(y)

= e^x+e^x+xe^x
= 2e^x+xe^x

regards
 
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That should be correct, also, you used the product rule, not the chain rule.
 
It can be shown that, for any positive integer n, with f^{(n)}(x) indicating the nth derivative, that
(fg)^{(n)}(x)= \sum_{i=0}^n \begin{pmatrix}n \\ i\end{pmatrix}f^{(i)}(x)g^{(n- i)}(x)

And, as rock.freak667 said, that is the product rule.
 
thanks guys
 

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