Derivatives of a Quadratic Function with Step-by-Step Instructions

  • Thread starter Thread starter mathaTon
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Calculus
Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on finding the derivative of the function y = (3 - 2x - x^2)(x^2 + x - 2) at x = -2. Participants emphasize using the product rule for differentiation, which states that the derivative of a product of two functions is the derivative of the first function multiplied by the second, plus the first function multiplied by the derivative of the second. There is confusion regarding the correct application of the product rule and the process of taking derivatives of polynomials. The conversation includes attempts to clarify the steps involved in expanding the function and calculating the derivative. Ultimately, the key takeaway is the importance of correctly applying the product rule and understanding polynomial differentiation.
mathaTon
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Hi
I need help with the Derivites please.


Find the value of dy/dx for the given value of x.

y= (3-2x-x^2) (x^2+x-2), x=-2

I have tried that I can't seem to understand the real steps to get the answer.
I know I have to take the deriviate of this actual function...
once i do that..I am not sure what to do next? please help!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Once you have the derivative, just plug in x.

Or are you having trouble taking the derivative?
 
y is a product of two functions, 3- 2x- x2 and x2+ x- 2 so use the product rule: (fg)'= f 'g+ fg'. Or just go ahead and multiply it to get a single polynomial. Do you know how to find the derivative of a polynomial?
 
no i don't know how to take the derivative of a polynomial?

is that? let me try though.
first i expand this two terms:
i ended with some cubes nd quartics
then i took the derivative.(when u multiply the exponent with coffiencent and the subtract the exponent with 1)

thats wehre i get stuck. i need help here..

the middle step is difficult..
last part is easy when we plug x value..
 
<br /> y = (-x^2-2x+3)(x^2+x-2)<br />

let:
<br /> u = f(x) = (-x^2-2x+3)<br />
<br /> v = g(x) = (x^2+x-2)<br />
<br /> y = uv<br />

<br /> y + dy = (u + du)(v + dv) = uv + udv + vdu + dudv<br />

subtract y = uv
<br /> dy = udv + vdu<br />

this equates to:
<br /> \frac{dy}{dx} = (-x^2-2x+3)\frac{d}{dx}(x^2+x-2) + (x^2+x-2)\frac{d}{dx}(-x^2-2x+3)<br />
<br /> \frac{dy}{dx}=(-x^2-2x+3)(-2x-2) + (x^2+x-2)(2x+1)<br />

Thats my attempt :P

EDIT: Corrected
 
Last edited:
3trQN said:
<br /> \frac{dy}{dx} = (-x^2-2x+3)\frac{d}{dx}(-x^2-2x+3) + (x^2+x-2)\frac{d}{dx}(x^2+x-2)<br />
Uhmm, this line is wrong. What you have written in this line is udu + vdv, in stead of udv + vdu.
mathaTon said:
no i don't know how to take the derivative of a polynomial?
Uhmm, you know that:
\left( x ^ {\alpha} \right) &#039; = \alpha x ^ {\alpha - 1}, right?
And you should also know that the derivative of a sum, is the sum of derivatives, i.e:
(u + v + w + k) = u' + v' + w' + k'
And if k is a constant then:
[kf(x)]' = k f'(x)
A polynomial has the form:
n_m x ^ m + n_{m - 1} x ^ {m - 1} + ... + n_1 x + n_0
This is a polynomial of degree m.
The derivative of that polynomial is:
\left( n_m x ^ m + n_{m - 1} x ^ {m - 1} + ... + n_1 x + n_0 \right)&#039; = n_m \left( x ^ m \right)&#039; + n_{m - 1} \left( x ^ {m - 1} \right)&#039; + ... + n_1 (x)&#039; + (n_0)&#039;
= mn_m \left( x ^ {m - 1} \right)&#039; + (m - 1)n_{m - 1} \left( x ^ {m - 2} \right)&#039; + ... + n_1.
first i expand this two terms:
i ended with some cubes nd quartics
then i took the derivative.(when u multiply the exponent with coffiencent and the subtract the exponent with 1)
Uhmm, not very sure what you mean though. Can you type it out?
--------------------
The problem ask you to find the derivative of a product. You can use the Product Rule:
(uv)' = u'v + uv'
By letting:
u = 3 - 2x - x2
and v = x2 + x - 2.
We have:
[(3 - 2x - x2) (x2 + x - 2.)]' = (3 - 2x - x2)' (x2 + x - 2.) + (3 - 2x - x2) (x2 + x - 2.)'.
Can you go from here? :)
 
Sorry, that because of my poor latex skills more than my maths
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
975
Replies
5
Views
919
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K