How Do You Simplify the Derivative Expression of \( y = e^{7x+4} \)?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on simplifying the derivative expression of \( y = e^{7x+4} \) using the limit definition of a derivative. Participants clarify that the expression simplifies to \( e^{7x+4}(e^{7h} - 1) \) and that the limit as \( h \) approaches 0 leads to the derivative being \( 7e^{7x+4} \). The confusion arises from the interpretation of the final answer, which is not a numerical value but rather a function of \( x \). The correct derivative is confirmed to be \( 7e^{7x+4} \).

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Chadlee88
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Could som1 please tell me what the next steps would be to be able to remove the h in the denomenator. :confused:

y = e^(7x+4)


Definition: lim f(x+h) - f(x)
h->0 h

lim (e^(7(x+h) + 4) - (e^(7x+4))
h->0 h

lim (e^(7x + 7h + 4)) - (e^(7x +4))
h->0 h
 
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How about using some of the properties of the exponential?
e^{7x+7h+4}= e^{7h}e^{7x+ 4}
(yes, I could also have separated the "4" but it is the "h" that is important)
so
e^{7x+ 7h+ 4}- e^{7x+ 4}= e^{7x+4}(e^{7h}- 1)
You will still have to deal with
\lim_{h\rightarrow 0}\frac{e^{7h}-1}{h}= 7\lim_{h\rightarrow 0}\frac{e^{7h}-1}{7h}
and, taking k= 7h,
7\lim_{k\rightarrow 0}\frac{e^{k}-1}{k}

but if you know how to deal with the derivative of ex you should be able to do that.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
i know that the final answer is 7 x .5 = 3.5 but i don't get how you got rid of e^(7x+4).

e^(7x+7h+4) - e^(7x+4) = e^(7x+4)(e^(7h) - 1) and then somehow
the e^(7x + 4) disappears and u get lim e^(7h-1)
h->0 h
 
Do you know how to derive the derivative of ex from the definition? If you can't, then you won't be able to solve this problem.
 
Chadlee88 said:
i know that the final answer is 7 x .5 = 3.5 but i don't get how you got rid of e^(7x+4).

e^(7x+7h+4) - e^(7x+4) = e^(7x+4)(e^(7h) - 1) and then somehow
the e^(7x + 4) disappears and u get lim e^(7h-1)
h->0 h
If that is the answer, then what is the question?

The derivative of e7x+4 is 7e7x+4! You don't "rid of" e7x+4, it's part of the answer. Since you assert that the answer is a number, 3.5, is it possible that the problem asks for the derivative at a given value of x?
 

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