What Mistakes Did I Make in My Calculus Homework?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion revolves around common mistakes made in AP Calculus AB homework, specifically in differentiating functions using the quotient and product rules. The user incorrectly applied the quotient rule for the function y = (1+cosx)/(1-cosx), leading to an erroneous simplification. Additionally, implicit differentiation was misapplied in the case of y = sin(x+y), where the derivative of x was incorrectly noted. The user also struggled with differentiating y = (secx)^2 + (tanx)^2, making mistakes in the application of the product rule.

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  • Understanding of Calculus differentiation rules, including the quotient rule and product rule.
  • Familiarity with implicit differentiation techniques.
  • Knowledge of trigonometric functions and their derivatives.
  • Ability to simplify algebraic expressions involving trigonometric identities.
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the application of the quotient rule in differentiation.
  • Study implicit differentiation and practice with various functions.
  • Learn the derivatives of trigonometric functions, focusing on secant and tangent.
  • Practice simplifying complex trigonometric expressions and applying identities.
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Students in AP Calculus AB, educators teaching calculus concepts, and anyone seeking to improve their differentiation skills, particularly in trigonometric functions.

computerex
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Homework Statement



Hello guys. I had to do some test corrections for my AP Calculus AB class. I have completed all of them besides the four below. Can anyone tell me where I go wrong?


1. Differentiate y = (1+cosx)/(1-cosx)

dy/dx = [(1-cosx)(sinx)-(1+cosx)(sinx)]/(1-cosx)^2 (quotient rule)
= [(sinx - sinx cosx) - (sinx + sinx cosx)]/(1-cosx)^2 (distribution)
= (-sinx cosx - sinx cosx)/(1-cosx)^2 (simplification)
= (-2sinx cosx)/(1-cosx)^2 (simplification)

Answer choices:

a. -1
b. -2 cscx
c. 2 cscx
d. (-2sinx)/(1-cosx)^2

Choice D is the closest to my answer, however my answer multiplies cosx with the -2sinx.

2. Differentiate y = sin(x+y)
I did this by implicit differentiation:

y' = cos(x+y)[(x)+dy/dx] (doesn't seem correct...)

Choices are:

A. 0
b. [cos(x+y)]/[1-cos(x+y)]
c. cos(x+y)
d. 1

9. Differentiate: y = (secx)^2 + (tanx)^2

y' = [(2secx)(secx tanx)] + [(2tanx)(secx)^2] (product rule)
= 2 ((secx)^2)tanx + 2 tanx (secx)^2
= 2 (sec x)^2 + 3 tanx

Choices are:

a. 0
b. tan x + (secx)^4
c. ((secx)^2)((secx)^2 + (tan x)^2)
d. 4 (secx)^2 tanx

(I skipped Pre-Calculus, which was essentially a trigonometry class, so I had a particularly difficult time with this one)
 
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computerex said:
1. Differentiate y = (1+cosx)/(1-cosx)

dy/dx = [(1-cosx)(sinx)-(1+cosx)(sinx)]/(1-cosx)^2 (quotient rule)
= [(sinx - sinx cosx) - (sinx + sinx cosx)]/(1-cosx)^2 (distribution)
= (-sinx cosx - sinx cosx)/(1-cosx)^2 (simplification)
= (-2sinx cosx)/(1-cosx)^2 (simplification)

d/dx cosx = - sinx NOT sinx

2. Differentiate y = sin(x+y)
I did this by implicit differentiation:

y' = cos(x+y)[(x)+dy/dx] (doesn't seem correct...)

Didn't check this one properly, but d/dx x = 1 NOT x

9. Differentiate: y = (secx)^2 + (tanx)^2

y' = [(2secx)(secx tanx)] + [(2tanx)(secx)^2] (product rule)
= 2 ((secx)^2)tanx + 2 tanx (secx)^2
= 2 (sec x)^2 + 3 tanx

Check step 3.

Hope that helps! :smile:
 

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