- #1
reinloch
- 5
- 0
Hi all, regarding the proof of the general power rule,
If we let [itex]y = x^r[/itex], then [itex]\ln y = r\ln x[/itex], and then by implicit differentiation
[itex]\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{r}{x},[/itex]
and thus it follows that
[itex]y' = \frac{ry}{x} = \frac{rx^r}{r} = rx^{r-1}.[/itex]
But the statement [itex]\ln y = r\ln x[/itex] also requires [itex]x>0[/itex], so does the General Power Rule only applies to positive real values of x?
Thanks.
If we let [itex]y = x^r[/itex], then [itex]\ln y = r\ln x[/itex], and then by implicit differentiation
[itex]\frac{y'}{y} = \frac{r}{x},[/itex]
and thus it follows that
[itex]y' = \frac{ry}{x} = \frac{rx^r}{r} = rx^{r-1}.[/itex]
But the statement [itex]\ln y = r\ln x[/itex] also requires [itex]x>0[/itex], so does the General Power Rule only applies to positive real values of x?
Thanks.