Finding derivative and solve for t

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the derivative of the function v(t) = (-t² + 4) / (t² + 4)². Participants are exploring the application of the quotient rule and chain rule to derive the function and subsequently set the derivative to zero to find critical points.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the quotient rule and chain rule, with some questioning the correctness of the derivative obtained. There are inquiries about the necessity of setting the derivative to zero and the definitions of stationary points. Others suggest simplifying the expression by canceling common factors.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing feedback on each other's derivations and suggesting corrections. There is an emphasis on ensuring clarity in notation and the need for parentheses in expressions. Some participants are exploring different interpretations of stationary points and concavity.

Contextual Notes

There are mentions of potential misunderstandings regarding the definitions of terms like stationary points and the relevance of setting the second derivative to zero. Participants are also addressing the need for clearer mathematical expressions in their posts.

josh_123
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Hello so I'm supposed to find the derivative of (-t2+4)/(t2+4)2

and using the quotient rule + the chain rule I got this mess:
dy/dx= -2t(t^2+4)^2-2t(2t2+8)(t2+4)2/ (t2+4)4

and now I have to set that whole thing to 0. I know the numerator must be equal to 0 which mean that one of the solution is t=0. Is there any other solutions?Can you help me simplify/factor it to find the other solution?Thank you
 
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Your 'mess' is a ways from being right yet. Once you get it right I'd start with canceling out the common factors of (t^2+4) in the numerator and denominator. It will look a lot less messy.
 
josh_123 said:
Hello so I'm supposed to find the derivative of (-t2+4)/(t2+4)2
and using the quotient rule + the chain rule I got this mess:
dy/dx= -2t(t^2+4)^2-2t(2t2+8)(t2+4)2/ (t2+4)4
and now I have to set that whole thing to 0. I know the numerator must be equal to 0 which mean that one of the solution is t=0. Is there any other solutions?Can you help me simplify/factor it to find the other solution?Thank you
Since there is no x in your original expression, your derivative shouldn't be dy/dx. Also, there's no y in that expression, either, so where did it come from?

Why do you think you need to set the derivative to 0? The question merely asks you to find the derivative.
 
Hello there,
the function is v(t)=-t2+4/(t2+4)2
and to find the derivative I'm suppose to find v'(t) or a(t)
The reason why I have to set the second derivative to 0 so that I could find the point at which the function is concave up or down. (those are called stationary points?)
I find the second derivative by using the equation:
f'g-g'f/g^2
and there is a comment said that my second derivative is wrong. Can you guide me where I make the mistake?
Thank you
 
It could have gone wrong anywhere. Show us your steps in simplifying your derivative after applying the quotient rule. Only then will we be able to pinpoint your mistake. So when you set your 2nd derivative = 0, you are looking at when there is constant velocity or 0 acceleration. I wouldn't call these stationary points since the object is still moving in some direction. Stationary points would only be when v(t)=0
 
oh okay here is the step
a(t)= -2t(t^2+4)^2 is the part f'g and then subtract the g'f part I used the chain rule to find g' which is 2t(2t^2+8)<----g'(t^2+4)^2<-----f and divide by g^2 which is( (t^2+4)^2)^2) which clean up to be equal (t^2+4)^4

and that why I got -2t(t^2+4)^2-2t(2t^2+8)(t^2+4)^2/ (t^2+4)^4
 
josh_123 said:
oh okay here is the step
a(t)= -2t(t^2+4)^2 is the part f'g and then subtract the g'f part I used the chain rule to find g' which is 2t(2t^2+8)<----g'(t^2+4)^2<-----f and divide by g^2 which is( (t^2+4)^2)^2) which clean up to be equal (t^2+4)^4

and that why I got -2t(t^2+4)^2-2t(2t^2+8)(t^2+4)^2/ (t^2+4)^4

The f'g part looks ok. The g'f part doesn't. It looks more like g'g to me.
 
(You really do need to learn to use parentheses where they're needed.)

I take it that you have f(t)/g(t) = (-t2+4)/(t2+4)2 .


Then [itex]\displaystyle \frac{d}{dt}\left(\frac{f(t)}{g(t)}\right)=\frac{f\,'\!(t)\,g(t)-f(t)\,g'(t)}{(g(t))^2}[/itex]

I don't see f(t) in the second term of the numerator in your expression.
 
josh_123 said:
the function is v(t)=-t2+4/(t2+4)2
and to find the derivative I'm suppose to find v'(t) or a(t)
The reason why I have to set the second derivative to 0 so that I could find the point at which the function is concave up or down. (those are called stationary points?)
This information is part of the problem statement, which should have been in your first post.
 
  • #10
Hello everyone, so I redo the derivative

a(t)= -2t(t2+4)2-2(t2+4)(2t)(-t2+4)/ (t2+4)4


does that look about right?
 
  • #11
josh_123 said:
Hello everyone, so I redo the derivative

a(t)= -2t(t2+4)2-2(t2+4)(2t)(-t2+4)/ (t2+4)4


does that look about right?
Like Sammy said, you need more parentheses.

What you wrote would be interpreted as
[tex]a(t) = -2t(t^2 + 4)^2 - \frac{2(t^2 + 4)(2t)(-t^2 + 4)}{(t^2 + 4)^4}[/tex]

You need another pair of parentheses around the entire numerator.

After making that fix, that looks to be correct, but if the answer is given, it probably won't look like this. In the textbook answers, they usually pull out common factors in the numerator to write the numerator as a product of factors rather than as a sum or difference of terms.
 

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