EvoN1020v Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 I am having a problem here. I can't figure this out. [math]y=(3x-2)^4[/math] is [math]81x^4 - 216x^3 + 198x^2 - 96x + 16[/math]. The derivative for the above function is [math]y\prime = 12(3x-2)^3[/math]. The question is asking me to find out the pattern and write it is as an equation in the same form of the power rule. ([math]y=ax^n[/math] is [math]y\prime = anx^{n-1}[/math]). This goes same for [math]y=(2x^2 + 3)^5[/math] which is [math]y\prime = 20x(2x^2 + 3)^4[/math]. I got [math]y=(ax+p)^n[/math] and [math]y\prime = an(ax+p)^{n-1}[/math], which worked for the first function, but not the second. My teacher said that for the second function, "You know that 2 x 2 x 5 is 20. How can you make [math](2x^2)(5)[/math] be 20x. You will need to take 2 derivatives." Do you guys know any equation that will fit both functions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 Here's a hint. If you have a function of the form [math]f(x) = (x^n+1)^m[/math], let [math]u(x) = x^n + 1[/math]. Then we get a function [math]f(u) = u^m[/math]. Construct an equation for [math]\frac{df}{dx}[/math] by considering [math]\frac{df}{du}[/math] and [math]\frac{du}{dx}[/math]. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ydoaPs Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 in other words, use the chain rule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 Given the type of assignment he's giving, I'm betting this is a precursor to the chain rule - which is why I explicity didn't say so Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ydoaPs Posted April 16, 2006 Share Posted April 16, 2006 I noticed your sig. Why not post it on IDF? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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