Possible title: How to Find the Derivative of y=e-.5x?

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SUMMARY

The derivative of the function y=e-0.5x is not zero, as clarified in the discussion. The correct approach involves applying the chain rule along with the fundamental rule that the derivative of ex is ex. Specifically, the derivative is calculated as dy/dx = -0.5 * e-0.5x. This highlights the importance of understanding the chain rule in calculus for differentiating exponential functions.

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what are the steps in finding the derivative of the function y=e-.5x

and why is the answer zero?

sorry I'm posting like 150 threads, I'm just really bad at math.
 
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coolbeans33 said:
what are the steps in finding the derivative of the function y=e-.5x

and why is the answer zero?

sorry I'm posting like 150 threads, I'm just really bad at math.

$$\frac{dy}{dx} \ne 0$$. What have you tried? In general, what is $\dfrac {d}{dx} e^{x}$? What about $\dfrac{d}{dx} e^{f(x)}$?

Also, 2k posts! :D
 
coolbeans33 said:
what are the steps in finding the derivative of the function y=e-.5x

and why is the answer zero?

sorry I'm posting like 150 threads, I'm just really bad at math.

Uh? :confused:
The answer is not zero.

The steps are the application of the chain rule.
Combined with the rule that the derivative of $e^x$ is $e^x$.

Didn't you just apply the chain rule in your previous thread?
Rather successfully in a more complicated problem I might add?
 

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