Differential Calculus Problems

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The discussion revolves around solving various differential calculus problems, with participants sharing their attempts and seeking clarification on specific steps. Key issues include the application of the Quotient Rule and Chain Rule in differentiation, particularly when dealing with complex functions and implicit differentiation. Participants express confusion over syntax errors in their answers, especially when inputting results into automated homework checkers. There is a consensus that careful attention to algebraic manipulation and differentiation rules is crucial for obtaining correct results. Overall, the thread emphasizes the importance of methodical problem-solving in calculus.
RedBarchetta
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Any help is greatly appreciated! :smile:

Homework Statement



1.Differentiate.
http://www.webassign.net/www16/symImages/8/a/e5af282af9dd30006849e16c0b489b.gif

2.Find the derivative of the function.
http://www.webassign.net/www16/symImages/c/8/fd38a158e810bff80a28202fbceb37.gif

3.Consider the following.
http://www.webassign.net/www16/symImages/8/a/68e64f2907886f5478f5c03714da01.gif
(a) Find y ' by implicit differentiation.
(b) Solve the equation explicitly for y and differentiate to get y ' in terms of x.

4.Differentiate.
http://www.webassign.net/www16/symImages/1/a/d96706921943b5f83c856dd9fda12e.gif

5.Differentiate
http://www.webassign.net/www16/symImages/d/d/cc0e49fd81af528239a0b21a0ac5e9.gif

The Attempt at a Solution



1.On this one I started with the Quotient Rule.
y=sinx/1+cosx
y'=cosx(1+cosx)+(sinx)^2/(1+cosx)^2
y'=cosx+(cosx)^2+(sinx)^2/(1+cosx)^2
I type this in:
(cos(x)+cos^2(x)+sin^2(x))/(1+cos^2(x))
It says: "Check the syntax of your response." I've tried putting them like(cos(x))^2 and (cos^2(x)).

2.I tried this one with the chain rule.
I converted it:
s(t)=(t^3+3/t^3-3)^1/4
Now the derivative of the inside is what gets me.
s'(t)=1/4(t^3+3/t^3-3)^-3/4*(inside)
The inside derivative ends up equaling zero. I'm stumped. I used the quotient rule. Heres my attempt of the inside derivative=
3t^2(t^3-3)-(t^3+3)3t^2/(t^3-3)^2
The numerator equals zero, so that times the first part is zero, leaving me with zero. I tried zero but it was wrong.

3.Alright, differentiate with respect to x right? I started by converting the radicals.
x^1/2+y^1/2=6
Derivative:
1/2x^(-1/2)+1/2y^(-1/2)y'=6
6 is a constant and equals zero, so I moved the x term over, then divided by 1/2y to get y' by it self:
(-.5x^(.5))/(.5y^(-.5))
Wrong. I didnt attempt the second part yet.

4. The derivative(so I've read) of e^x, is simply e^x. I converted the radical. Then applied the product rule.
1/2x^(-1/2)*e^x+x^(1/2)*e^x
Wrong. I think I might have not applied the chain rule to the last term. so If you take the derivative of e^x, it should be e^x? But that shouldn't matter because its still e^x. Right?

5. I took the 2nd power and applied to the the entire term.
(1-u/1+u)^2
Then used chain rule.
2(1-u/1+u)*(inside derivative)
inside=
-1(1+u)-(1-u)*1/(1+u)^2
-1-u-1+u/(1+u)^2
-2/(1+u)^2
final answer:
2(1-u/1+u)*(-2/(1+u)^2)
Still wrong. I'm not sure. This is what I typed: 2((1-u)/(1+u))*(-2)/(1+u)^2
 
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RedBarchetta said:

The Attempt at a Solution



1.On this one I started with the Quotient Rule.
y=sinx/1+cosx
y'=cosx(1+cosx)+(sinx)^2/(1+cosx)^2
y'=cosx+(cosx)^2+(sinx)^2/(1+cosx)^2
I type this in:
(cos(x)+cos^2(x)+sin^2(x))/(1+cos^2(x))
It says: "Check the syntax of your response." I've tried putting them like(cos(x))^2 and (cos^2(x)).
This looks correct, but you should simplify it: use the fact that sin^2x+cos^2x=1. You should then get an expression that you can simplify further by factorising the denominator.

2.I tried this one with the chain rule.
I converted it:
s(t)=(t^3+3/t^3-3)^1/4
Now the derivative of the inside is what gets me.
s'(t)=1/4(t^3+3/t^3-3)^-3/4*(inside)
The inside derivative ends up equaling zero. I'm stumped. I used the quotient rule. Heres my attempt of the inside derivative=
3t^2(t^3-3)-(t^3+3)3t^2/(t^3-3)^2
The numerator equals zero, so that times the first part is zero, leaving me with zero. I tried zero but it was wrong.
The numerator of the "inside" derivative does not equal zero: 3t^2(t^3-3)-(t^3+3)3t^2=-9t^2-9t^2=-18t^2
3.Alright, differentiate with respect to x right? I started by converting the radicals.
x^1/2+y^1/2=6
Derivative:
1/2x^(-1/2)+1/2y^(-1/2)y'=6
6 is a constant and equals zero, so I moved the x term over, then divided by 1/2y to get y' by it self:
(-.5x^(.5))/(.5y^(-.5))
Wrong. I didnt attempt the second part yet.
You've got \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}}+\frac{1}{2\sqrt{y}}y'=0 Try to make y' the subject of the formula again-- you're algebra went wrong somewhere.

4. The derivative(so I've read) of e^x, is simply e^x. I converted the radical. Then applied the product rule.
1/2x^(-1/2)*e^x+x^(1/2)*e^x
Wrong.
Why's this wrong? Looks fine to me!
5. I took the 2nd power and applied to the the entire term.
(1-u/1+u)^2
Then used chain rule.
2(1-u/1+u)*(inside derivative)
inside=
-1(1+u)-(1-u)*1/(1+u)^2
-1-u-1+u/(1+u)^2
-2/(1+u)^2
final answer:
2(1-u/1+u)*(-2/(1+u)^2)
Still wrong. I'm not sure. This is what I typed: 2((1-u)/(1+u))*(-2)/(1+u)^2
That's not correct since \frac{1-u^2}{1+u^2}\neq\left(\frac{1-u}{1+u}\right)^2.

You should just be able to use the quotient rule on the original expression.
 
4. The derivative(so I've read) of e^x, is simply e^x. I converted the radical. Then applied the product rule.
1/2x^(-1/2)*e^x+x^(1/2)*e^x
Wrong. I think I might have not applied the chain rule to the last term. so If you take the derivative of e^x, it should be e^x? But that shouldn't matter because its still e^x. Right?
I hate automated "homework checkers"! What you have for 4 is correct. But since the original problem was given in terms of \sqrt{x}, not x1/2, it would be better to write your answer in that form: What you have is the same as ((1/2)x-1/2+ x1/2)ex. If you factor out a (1/2)x-1/2, that is the same as (1/2)x-1/2(1+ 2x)ex which can be written
\frac{1+ 2x}{2\sqrt{x}}e^x
 
On number 1 I got to this:
(cos(x))/(cos^2(x)+2cos(x))

Still says check your syntax. :confused:

I'm still stumped on number 2 and number 5.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!
 
1.(1+cos(x))^2 \neq 1+cos^2x2.\frac{(t^3+3)^\frac{1}{4}}{(t^3-3)^\frac{1}{4}}
Take it slow, apply the chain rule and the quotient rule.

3. Again, take it slow and apply the chain rule and the quotient rule. Make sure to be careful with your work.
 
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Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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