How Do You Apply the Chain and Product Rules in Differentiation?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on applying the Chain Rule and Product Rule in differentiation to the expression (3x+4)7 (7x-1)3. The user correctly differentiates the components, obtaining f'(x) = 21(3x+4)6 and g'(x) = 21(7x-1)2, and applies the Product Rule to combine these results. The simplification process reveals a common factor of (3x+4)6 (7x-1)2, leading to the final expression of 21(3x+4)6 (7x-1)2 (10x+3), which was initially miscalculated by the user.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Chain Rule in calculus
  • Understanding of the Product Rule in calculus
  • Ability to differentiate polynomial functions
  • Familiarity with simplifying algebraic expressions
NEXT STEPS
  • Practice differentiating composite functions using the Chain Rule
  • Explore more complex applications of the Product Rule
  • Learn techniques for simplifying polynomial expressions
  • Review common mistakes in differentiation and simplification processes
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus, particularly those learning differentiation techniques, and educators seeking to clarify the application of the Chain and Product Rules.

andrew.c
Messages
46
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Differentiate...
(3x+4)^7 (7x-1)^3
and
simplify

Homework Equations



Chain rule and Product rule

The Attempt at a Solution



I got (splitting the components up to substitute into the product rule) and using the chain rule

<br /> \begin{align*}<br /> \\f(x) = (3x+4)^7\\<br /> f&#039;(x) = 21(3x+4)^6\\<br /> g(x) = (7x-1)^3\\<br /> g&#039;(x) = 21(7x-1)^2<br /> \end{align*}<br />

and so, using the product rule...
<br /> \begin{align*}<br /> \\f&#039;(x)g(x) + f(x)g&#039;(x)\\<br /> =21(3x+4)^6 (7x-1)^3 + 21(3x+4)^7 (7x-1)^2\\<br /> =(3x+4)^6 (7x-1)^3 + (3x+4)^7 (7x-1)^2\\<br /> \end{align*}<br />

and now I don't know how to simplify further.
I got it down to 10x+3, but this doesn't match the answer in the marking

21(3x+4)^6 (7x-1)^2 (10x+3)

Any ideas guys?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
andrew.c said:

Homework Statement


Differentiate...
(3x+4)^7 (7x-1)^3
and
simplify


Homework Equations



Chain rule and Product rule

The Attempt at a Solution



I got (splitting the components up to substitute into the product rule) and using the chain rule

<br /> \begin{align*}<br /> \\f(x) = (3x+4)^7\\<br /> f&#039;(x) = 21(3x+4)^6\\<br /> g(x) = (7x-1)^3\\<br /> g&#039;(x) = 21(7x-1)^2<br /> \end{align*}<br />

and so, using the product rule...
<br /> \begin{align*}<br /> \\f&#039;(x)g(x) + f(x)g&#039;(x)\\<br /> =21(3x+4)^6 (7x-1)^3 + 21(3x+4)^7 (7x-1)^2\\<br /> =(3x+4)^6 (7x-1)^3 + (3x+4)^7 (7x-1)^2\\<br /> \end{align*}<br />

and now I don't know how to simplify further.
I got it down to 10x+3, but this doesn't match the answer in the marking

21(3x+4)^6 (7x-1)^2 (10x+3)

Any ideas guys?
How could you possibly do this differentiation correctly (which you did) and not be able to multiply polynomials! You product, after multiplying out, will involve x9. It certainly is not "10x+ 3"!

Notice that your (3x+4)^6(7x-1)^3+ (3x+4)^7(7x-1)^2 has at least 6 factors of 3x-4 and 2 factors of 7x-1 in each term. Take them out and you have left exactly that "10x+3" you mentioned.
 
HallsofIvy said:
How could you possibly do this differentiation correctly (which you did) and not be able to multiply polynomials!

Yeah, just had a look through this again and that was a really stupid mistake! I guess that's what hours of maths can do to you!

Thanks
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
6K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
1K