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Introduction
In calculus, the derivative of a function represents the rate of change of the function with respect to one of its variables. It is a fundamental concept in mathematics and has numerous applications in various fields, including physics, engineering, and economics. In this article, we will focus on finding the derivative of a given polynomial function.
What is a Polynomial Function?
A polynomial function is a function that can be written in the form:
f(x)=anβxn+anβ1βxnβ1+β¦+a1βx+a0β
where anβ,anβ1β,β¦,a1β,a0β are constants, and n is a non-negative integer. The degree of the polynomial is the highest power of x in the function.
The Power Rule
One of the most important rules in finding the derivative of a polynomial function is the power rule. The power rule states that if f(x)=xn, then fβ²(x)=nxnβ1.
Finding the Derivative of the Given Function
Now, let's apply the power rule to find the derivative of the given function:
f(x)=4x6β2x4+x3β4x+5
To find the derivative, we will differentiate each term separately.
Differentiating the First Term
The first term is 4x6. Using the power rule, we have:
dxdβ(4x6)=4β
6x6β1=24x5
Differentiating the Second Term
The second term is β2x4. Using the power rule, we have:
dxdβ(β2x4)=β2β
4x4β1=β8x3
Differentiating the Third Term
The third term is x3. Using the power rule, we have:
dxdβ(x3)=3x3β1=3x2
Differentiating the Fourth Term
The fourth term is β4x. Using the power rule, we have:
dxdβ(β4x)=β4β
1x1β1=β4
Differentiating the Fifth Term
The fifth term is 5. Since the derivative of a constant is zero, we have:
dxdβ(5)=0
Combining the Derivatives
Now, let's combine the derivatives of each term to find the derivative of the given function:
fβ²(x)=24x5β8x3+3x2β4
Conclusion
In this article, we have found the derivative of a given polynomial function using the power rule. We have differentiated each term separately and combined the derivatives to find the final derivative. The derivative of the given function is:
fβ²(x)=24x5β8x3+3x2β4
This derivative can be used to find the rate of change of the function with respect to x.
Example Problems
Problem 1
Find the derivative of the function f(x)=3x4β2x2+xβ1.
Solution
Using the power rule, we have:
dxdβ(3x4)=3β
4x4β1=12x3
dxdβ(β2x2)=β2β
2x2β1=β4x
dxdβ(x)=1x1β1=1
dxdβ(β1)=0
Combining the derivatives, we have:
fβ²(x)=12x3β4x+1
Problem 2
Find the derivative of the function f(x)=2x3+3x2β4x+1.
Solution
Using the power rule, we have:
dxdβ(2x3)=2β
3x3β1=6x2
dxdβ(3x2)=3β
2x2β1=6x
dxdβ(β4x)=β4β
1x1β1=β4
dxdβ(1)=0
Combining the derivatives, we have:
fβ²(x)=6x2+6xβ4
Practice Problems
Problem 1
Find the derivative of the function f(x)=x4β2x2+3xβ1.
Problem 2
Find the derivative of the function f(x)=2x3+x2β3x+1.
Problem 3
Find the derivative of the function f(x)=x5β4x3+2x2β3x+1.
Problem 4
Find the derivative of the function f(x)=3x4β2x3+x2β4x+1.
Problem 5
Find the derivative of the function f(x)=2x3+3x2β4x+1.
Solutions
Problem 1
Using the power rule, we have:
dxdβ(x4)=4x4β1=4x3
dxdβ(β2x2)=β2β
2x2β1=β4x
dxdβ(3x)=3β
1x1β1=3
dxdβ(β1)=0
Combining the derivatives, we have:
fβ²(x)=4x3β4x+3
Problem 2
Using the power rule, we have:
dxdβ(2x3)=2β
3x3β1=6x2
dxdβ(3x2)=3β
2x2β1=6x
dxdβ(β3x)=β3β
1x1β1=β3
dxdβ(1)=0
Combining the derivatives, we have:
fβ²(x)=6x2+6xβ3
Problem 3
Using the power rule, we have:
dxdβ(x5)=5x5β1=5x4
dxdβ(β4x3)=β4β
3x3β1=β12x2
dxdβ(2x2)=2β
2x2β1=4x
dxdβ(β3x)=β3β
1x1β1=β3
dxdβ(1)=0
Combining the derivatives, we have:
fβ²(x)=5x4β12x2+4xβ3
Problem 4
Using the power rule, we have:
dxdβ(3x4)=3β
4x4β1=12x3
dxdβ(β2x3)=β2β
3x3β1=β6x2
dxdβ(x2)=2x2β1=2x
dxdβ(β4x)=β4β
1x1β1=β4
dxdβ(1)=0
Combining the derivatives, we have:
fβ²(x)=12x3β6x2+2xβ4
Problem 5
Using the power rule, we have:
${ \frac{d}{dx}(2
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Introduction
In our previous article, we discussed how to find the derivative of a polynomial function using the power rule. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about the derivative of a polynomial function.
Q: What is the derivative of a constant function?
A: The derivative of a constant function is zero. This is because the derivative represents the rate of change of the function with respect to one of its variables, and a constant function does not change with respect to its variable.
Q: How do I find the derivative of a polynomial function with a negative exponent?
A: To find the derivative of a polynomial function with a negative exponent, you can use the power rule. For example, if you have a function of the form f(x)=axβn, then the derivative is fβ²(x)=βnaxβnβ1.
Q: Can I use the power rule to find the derivative of a polynomial function with a fractional exponent?
A: Yes, you can use the power rule to find the derivative of a polynomial function with a fractional exponent. For example, if you have a function of the form f(x)=axn1β, then the derivative is fβ²(x)=n1βaxn1ββ1.
Q: How do I find the derivative of a polynomial function with multiple terms?
A: To find the derivative of a polynomial function with multiple terms, you can use the power rule for each term separately. For example, if you have a function of the form f(x)=axm+bxn+cxp, then the derivative is fβ²(x)=maxmβ1+nbxnβ1+pcxpβ1.
Q: Can I use the power rule to find the derivative of a polynomial function with a variable in the exponent?
A: Yes, you can use the power rule to find the derivative of a polynomial function with a variable in the exponent. For example, if you have a function of the form f(x)=axbx, then the derivative is fβ²(x)=abxbxβ1xbx.
Q: How do I find the derivative of a polynomial function with a trigonometric function in the exponent?
A: To find the derivative of a polynomial function with a trigonometric function in the exponent, you can use the chain rule and the power rule. For example, if you have a function of the form f(x)=axsinx, then the derivative is fβ²(x)=acosxxsinxβ1.
Q: Can I use the power rule to find the derivative of a polynomial function with a logarithmic function in the exponent?
A: Yes, you can use the power rule to find the derivative of a polynomial function with a logarithmic function in the exponent. For example, if you have a function of the form f(x)=axlogx, then the derivative is fβ²(x)=ax1βxlogxβ1.
Q: How do I find the derivative of a polynomial function with a product of two functions?
A: To find the derivative of a polynomial function with a product of two functions, you can use the product rule. For example, if you have a function of the form f(x)=axmβ
bxn, then the derivative is fβ²(x)=maxmβ1bxn+abxmβ
nbxnβ1.
Q: Can I use the power rule to find the derivative of a polynomial function with a quotient of two functions?
A: Yes, you can use the quotient rule to find the derivative of a polynomial function with a quotient of two functions. For example, if you have a function of the form f(x)=bxnaxmβ, then the derivative is fβ²(x)=(bxn)2maxmβ1bxnβabxmβ
nbxnβ1β.
Conclusion
In this article, we have answered some frequently asked questions about the derivative of a polynomial function. We have discussed how to find the derivative of a polynomial function with a negative exponent, a fractional exponent, multiple terms, a variable in the exponent, a trigonometric function in the exponent, a logarithmic function in the exponent, a product of two functions, and a quotient of two functions. We hope that this article has been helpful in understanding the derivative of a polynomial function.
Practice Problems
Problem 1
Find the derivative of the function f(x)=3x4β2x2+xβ1.
Problem 2
Find the derivative of the function f(x)=2x3+3x2β4x+1.
Problem 3
Find the derivative of the function f(x)=x5β4x3+2x2β3x+1.
Problem 4
Find the derivative of the function f(x)=3x4β2x3+x2β4x+1.
Problem 5
Find the derivative of the function f(x)=2x3+3x2β4x+1.
Solutions
Problem 1
Using the power rule, we have:
[ \frac{d}{dx}(3x^4) = 3 \cdot 4x^{4-1} = 12x^3 }$
dxdβ(β2x2)=β2β
2x2β1=β4x
dxdβ(x)=1x1β1=1
dxdβ(β1)=0
Combining the derivatives, we have:
fβ²(x)=12x3β4x+1
Problem 2
Using the power rule, we have:
dxdβ(2x3)=2β
3x3β1=6x2
dxdβ(3x2)=3β
2x2β1=6x
dxdβ(β4x)=β4β
1x1β1=β4
dxdβ(1)=0
Combining the derivatives, we have:
fβ²(x)=6x2+6xβ4
Problem 3
Using the power rule, we have:
dxdβ(x5)=5x5β1=5x4
dxdβ(β4x3)=β4β
3x3β1=β12x2
dxdβ(2x2)=2β
2x2β1=4x
dxdβ(β3x)=β3β
1x1β1=β3
dxdβ(1)=0
Combining the derivatives, we have:
fβ²(x)=5x4β12x2+4xβ3
Problem 4
Using the power rule, we have:
dxdβ(3x4)=3β
4x4β1=12x3
dxdβ(β2x3)=β2β
3x3β1=β6x2
dxdβ(x2)=2x2β1=2x
dxdβ(β4x)=β4β
1x1β1=β4
dxdβ(1)=0
Combining the derivatives, we have:
fβ²(x)=12x3β6x2+2xβ4
Problem 5
Using the power rule, we have:
dxdβ(2x3)=2β
3x3β1=6x2
dxdβ(3x2)=3β
2x2β1=6x
[ \frac{d}{dx}(-4x) = -4 \cdot 1x^{1-1} = -4 \