Is the chain rule necessary for finding the derivative of r/sqrt(r^2+1)?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the differentiation of the expression $\frac{r}{\sqrt{r^2+1}}$. Participants explore the application of the product rule and the chain rule in finding the derivative, discussing various approaches and simplifications involved in the process.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests rewriting the expression as $r(r^2+1)^{-0.5}$ and questions whether the product rule should be used.
  • Another participant confirms that using the product rule is appropriate and outlines the differentiation steps, indicating that the chain rule will also be necessary for evaluating $\frac{d}{dr}\left[ \left( r^2 + 1 \right)^{-\frac{1}{2}} \right]$.
  • Subsequent posts discuss the correctness of various derivative forms and simplifications, with participants providing different expressions for the derivative.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about simplifying the expression $(r^2+1)^{-0.5}(1-1^{4/3}r^2)$, while another participant provides a different derivative expression and suggests factoring.
  • There are multiple confirmations of derivative forms, but also instances where participants challenge each other's simplifications and correctness.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the necessity of using both the product rule and the chain rule for differentiation. However, there is no consensus on the final simplified form of the derivative, with competing expressions and simplifications presented throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express difficulty in simplifying their results, indicating potential gaps in understanding or application of algebraic manipulation in the context of derivatives.

Petrus
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Hello,
I got problem again with chain rule and would like to have advice for this problem,

$\frac{\displaystyle r} {\displaystyle \sqrt{r^2+1}}$

is it product rule I shall also use because I have rewrite it as
$r(r^2+1)^{-0.5}$
 
Last edited:
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Re: Derivate, chain rule

The product rule is very effective also when You have to evaluate an expression like...

$\displaystyle \frac{d}{d x} \frac{f(x)}{g(x)} = \frac{f^{\ '}(x)}{g(x)} - \frac{f(x)\ g^{\ '}(x)}{g^{2}(x)}$ (1) ... expecially, as in my case, memory isn't Your best quality...

Kind regards $\chi$ $\sigma$
 
Re: Derivate, chain rule

Petrus said:
Hello,
I got problem again with chain rule and would like to have advice for this problem,

$\frac{\displaystyle r} {\displaystyle \sqrt{r^2+1}}$

is it product rule I shall also use because I have rewrite it as
$r(r^2+1)^{-0.5}$

Yes, what you have suggested is fine. Using the product rule:

[math]\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{d}{dr} \left[ r\left( r^2 + 1 \right)^{-\frac{1}{2}} \right] &= r\,\frac{d}{dr} \left[ \left( r^2 + 1 \right)^{-\frac{1}{2}} \right] + \left( r^2 + 1 \right)^{-\frac{1}{2}}\,\frac{d}{dr} \left( r \right) \end{align*}[/math]

Then to evaluate [math]\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{d}{dr}\left[ \left( r^2 + 1 \right)^{-\frac{1}{2}} \right] \end{align*}[/math] you will need to use the Chain Rule.
 
Re: Derivate, chain rule

Prove It said:
Yes, what you have suggested is fine. Using the product rule:

[math]\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{d}{dr} \left[ r\left( r^2 + 1 \right)^{-\frac{1}{2}} \right] &= r\,\frac{d}{dr} \left[ \left( r^2 + 1 \right)^{-\frac{1}{2}} \right] + \left( r^2 + 1 \right)^{-\frac{1}{2}}\,\frac{d}{dr} \left( r \right) \end{align*}[/math]

Then to evaluate [math]\displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{d}{dr}\left[ \left( r^2 + 1 \right)^{-\frac{1}{2}} \right] \end{align*}[/math] you will need to use the Chain Rule.
Hello with your method is this correcT?
$(r^2+1)^{-0.5}-0.5r(r^2+1)^{-3/2}2r$
 
Re: Derivate, chain rule

Petrus said:
Hello with your method is this correcT?
$(r^2+1)^{-0.5}-0.5r(r^2+1)^{-3/2}2r$

Yes, and now you will probably want to factor to write the derivative in a simpler, more compact form.
 
Re: Derivate, chain rule

chisigma said:
The product rule is very effective also when You have to evaluate an expression like...

$\displaystyle \frac{d}{d x} \frac{f(x)}{g(x)} = \frac{f^{\ '}(x)}{g(x)} - \frac{f(x)\ g^{\ '}(x)}{g^{2}(x)}$ (1) ... expecially, as in my case, memory isn't Your best quality...

Kind regards $\chi$ $\sigma$
Hello Chisigma,
Is this correct?
$\frac{\sqrt{r^2+1}+0.5r(r^2+1)^{-3/2}2r}{r^2+1}$
 
Re: Derivate, chain rule

MarkFL said:
Yes, and now you will probably want to factor to write the derivative in a simpler, more compact form.
Is this correct? I got problem to simplify
$(r^2+1)^{-0.5}(1-1^{4/3}r^2)$
 
Re: Derivate, chain rule

Petrus said:
Is this correct? I got problem to simplify
$(r^2+1)^{-0.5}(1-1^{4/3}r^2)$

No, we have:

$$\frac{d}{dr}\left(\frac{r}{\sqrt{r^2+1}} \right)=(r^2+1)^{-\frac{1}{2}}-r\cdot\frac{1}{2}(r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}\cdot2r=(r^2+1)^{-\frac{1}{2}}-r^2(r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}$$

Factoring out $$(r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}$$, we find:

$$\frac{d}{dr}\left(\frac{r}{\sqrt{r^2+1}} \right)=(r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}\left((r^2+1)-r^2 \right)=(r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}$$
 
Re: Derivate, chain rule

MarkFL said:
No, we have:

$$\frac{d}{dr}\left(\frac{r}{\sqrt{r^2+1}} \right)=(r^2+1)^{-\frac{1}{2}}-r\cdot\frac{1}{2}(r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}\cdot2r=(r^2+1)^{-\frac{1}{2}}-r^2(r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}$$

Factoring out $$(r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}$$, we find:

$$\frac{d}{dr}\left(\frac{r}{\sqrt{r^2+1}} \right)=(r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}\left((r^2+1)-r^2 \right)=(r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}$$
Thanks Mark!
I need to practice more on this!
 

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