Table of contents
- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
- 8. Definite Integrals3h 25m
3. Techniques of Differentiation
Basic Rules of Differentiation
Problem 3.R.12
Textbook Question
Evaluate and simplify y'.
y = 2x√2

1
Step 1: Recognize that the function y = 2x^{\sqrt{2}} is in the form of a power function, where the exponent is an irrational number, \sqrt{2}.
Step 2: To differentiate y with respect to x, use the power rule for differentiation, which states that if y = x^n, then y' = n \cdot x^{n-1}.
Step 3: Apply the power rule to the given function. Here, n = \sqrt{2}, so the derivative y' = \sqrt{2} \cdot 2x^{\sqrt{2} - 1}.
Step 4: Simplify the expression for y' by multiplying the constant \sqrt{2} with 2, resulting in y' = 2\sqrt{2} \cdot x^{\sqrt{2} - 1}.
Step 5: The expression y' = 2\sqrt{2} \cdot x^{\sqrt{2} - 1} is the simplified form of the derivative of the given function.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Differentiation
Differentiation is a fundamental concept in calculus that involves finding the derivative of a function. The derivative represents the rate of change of the function with respect to its variable. In this case, we need to differentiate the function y = 2x^(√2) to find y'.
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Power Rule
The Power Rule is a basic rule for differentiation that states if y = x^n, then the derivative y' = n*x^(n-1). This rule simplifies the process of finding derivatives for polynomial and power functions, making it essential for evaluating y' in the given function.
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Constant Multiple Rule
The Constant Multiple Rule states that if a function is multiplied by a constant, the derivative of the function is the constant multiplied by the derivative of the function itself. In this case, since y = 2x^(√2), we will apply this rule to factor out the constant 2 when differentiating.
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