Find the derivative of the function

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the derivative of the function F(x) = (x - 3x√x)/√x, with participants exploring both the quotient rule and simplification methods.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss using the quotient rule and simplification to find the derivative, with some expressing preference for one method over the other. There are requests for showing work and clarifying steps taken to reach results.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided their attempts at the derivative, while others are asking for more detailed explanations of the steps involved. There is an acknowledgment of the requirement to demonstrate both methods and verify their equivalence.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the instruction to use both the quotient rule and simplification, and to show that the results from both methods are the same.

frosty8688
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1. Find the derivative of the function using the quotient rule and also by simplifying



2. F(x) = (x - 3x√x)/√x



3. (9x^2 - x - 8) / (2x √x)
 
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You need to show us your attempt at working these out before we can help you.
 
[itex]\sqrt{x}[/itex] (1-3(1[itex]/[/itex]2[itex]\sqrt{x}[/itex])) - (x-3x[itex]\sqrt{x}[/itex])(1[itex]/[/itex]2[itex]\sqrt{x}[/itex])[itex]/[/itex][itex]\sqrt{x}[/itex][itex]^{2}[/itex] = (1-9-x+9x[itex]^{2}[/itex])[itex]/[/itex](2[itex]\sqrt{x}[/itex][itex]\sqrt{x}[/itex][itex]^{2}[/itex]) = (9x[itex]^{2}[/itex]-x-8) [itex]/[/itex] (2x[itex]\sqrt{x}[/itex])
 
[tex]\frac{d}{dx}x^n=nx^{n-1}[/tex]
And so for the numerator you should have,
[tex]\frac{d}{dx}\left(x-3x\sqrt{x}\right)[/tex]
[tex]=\frac{d}{dx}\left(x-3x^{3/2}\right)[/tex]
[tex]=1-3\left(\frac{3}{2}\cdot x^{1/2}\right)[/tex]
 
Personally, I wouldn't have used the quotient rule for this at all. I would have written the function as [itex]F(x)= (x+ x^{3/2})x^{-1/2}= x^{1/2}+ x[/itex]

The other function is [itex](9x^2- x- 8)(1/2)(x^{-3/2}= (1/2)(9x^{1/2}- x^{-1/2}- 9x^{-3/2})[/itex]
 
It said to use both simplification and the quotient rule and to show that the two are the same.
 
HallsofIvy said:
Personally, I wouldn't have used the quotient rule for this at all. I would have written the function as [itex]F(x)= (x+ x^{3/2})x^{-1/2}= x^{1/2}+ x[/itex]

The other function is [itex](9x^2- x- 8)(1/2)(x^{-3/2}= (1/2)(9x^{1/2}- x^{-1/2}- 9x^{-3/2})[/itex]

It said to use both simplification and the quotient rule and to show that the answers are the same.
 
Here's what I got for the quotient rule: [itex]\frac{1}{2}[/itex](x[itex]^{-1}[/itex] - x[itex]^{-1/2}[/itex])
 
For simplification, I get: (x-3x[itex]^{3/2}[/itex]) x[itex]^{-1/2}[/itex] = (x-[itex]\frac{9}{2}[/itex]x[itex]^{1/2}[/itex]) x[itex]^{-1/2}[/itex]
 
  • #10
Please show us the actual steps you went through. What did you do to obtain those results?
 

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