Find Derivative: dp/dq if p = 1/(√q+1)

  • Thread starter Thread starter TommG
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Derivatives
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the derivative dp/dq for the function p = 1/(√q + 1). Participants are analyzing their work and comparing their results to a textbook answer.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants present their calculations for the derivative and express uncertainty about the correctness of their answers compared to the textbook solution. There is a focus on the interpretation of the function's notation and whether it was written correctly.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided their calculations and are questioning whether their results align with the textbook answer. Clarifications about the function's notation have been raised, and there seems to be a productive exploration of the differences in notation and interpretation.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of potential confusion regarding the function's expression, specifically whether it is p = 1/(√q + 1) or p = 1/√(q + 1). This distinction is important for the derivative calculation.

TommG
Messages
28
Reaction score
0
find the indicated derivative
dp/dq if p = 1/(√q+1)

I apologize ahead of time if you can't read my work.

my work

[(1/(√(q+h+1))) - (1/(√(q+1))] \divh

[((√(q+1)) - (√(q+h+1)))/((√(q+h+1))(√(q+1)))] \divh

[(q+1-q-h-1)/(((√q+h+1)(√q+1))((√q+1)+(√q+h+1)))]\div h

[-h//(((√(q+h+1))(√(q+1)))((√(q+1))+(√(q+h+1))))]\div h

-1//(((√(q+h+1))(√(q+1)))((√(q+1))+(√(q+h+1))))

-1/[((√(q+1))(√(q+1)))((√(q+1))+(√(q+1)))]

-1/[(q+1)(2√(q+1))] this was my answerthe answer in the book is -1/[2(q+1)(√(q+1))]

is my answer the same as the book or is there something else I still need to do?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
TommG said:
find the indicated derivative
dp/dq if p = 1/(√q+1)

I apologize ahead of time if you can't read my work.

my work

[1/(√q+h+1) - 1/(√q+1)] \divh

[((√q+1) - (√q+h+1))/((√q+h+1)(√q+1))] \divh

[(q+1-q-h-1)/(((√q+h+1)(√q+1))((√q+1)+(√q+h+1)))]\div h

[-h//(((√q+h+1)(√q+1))((√q+1)+(√q+h+1)))]\div h

-1//(((√q+h+1)(√q+1))((√q+1)+(√q+h+1)))

-1/[((√q+1)(√q+1))((√q+1)+(√q+1))]

-1/[(q+1)(2√q+1)] this was my answer


the answer in the book is -1/[2(q+1)(√q+1)]

is my answer the same as the book or is there something else I still need to do?

Do you mean
p = \frac{1}{\sqrt{q+1}} \text{ or } p = \frac{1}{\sqrt{q} + 1}?
In text you should write the first as p = 1/√(q+1) and the second as p = 1/(1+√p) or 1/((√p)+1).
 
Ray Vickson said:
Do you mean
p = \frac{1}{\sqrt{q+1}} \text{ or } p = \frac{1}{\sqrt{q} + 1}?
In text you should write the first as p = 1/√(q+1) and the second as p = 1/(1+√p) or 1/((√p)+1).

I am sorry it is the first one p = \frac{1}{\sqrt{q+1}}
 
TommG said:
-1/[(q+1)(2√(q+1))] this was my answer


the answer in the book is -1/[2(q+1)(√(q+1))]

So your answer was $$-\frac{1}{(q+1)(2\sqrt{q+1})}$$ and the book's was $$-\frac{1}{2(q+1)(\sqrt{q+1})}?$$

If so, yes they are the same. q is just a variable. It is the norm to see, for example, 2x rather than x2. And the latter becomes problematic when dealing with a product of different variables.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K