Posted: Feb 17, 2012 10:09 am
EXAMPLES FOR CONSTANTS AND POWERS
For the following functions, please find the first and second derivatives:
- [math]
- [math]
- [math]
- [math]
where b,f and c are constants
Let's start solving:
- We are given the equation [math]. Remember that the derivative of this is the addition of each term, as each term can be seen as a separate function. So, we start with the first term: [math]. What is its derivative? Remembering the rule, a=1, n=3 and n-1=2. Then the derivative of this is: [math]. The second term is 2, which is a constant and so its derivative is equal to 0. Adding those two we get the following: [math]
There is no need to add the 0, the derivative of the 2 term.
We also need the second derivative; just follow the same rule and we have: a=3, n=2 and n-1=1. So, the second derivative is:[math][math]
Think the other three for today. Post your solutions in spoilers in the discussion thread, and I will give the full solution tomorrow.