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
3. Techniques of Differentiation
Product and Quotient Rules
Problem 3.2.25b
Textbook Question
21–30. Derivatives
b. Evaluate f'(a) for the given values of a.
f(x) = 1/x+1; a = -1/2;5
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1
Step 1: Identify the function f(x) = \frac{1}{x} + 1 and the points a = -\frac{1}{2} and a = 5 where we need to evaluate the derivative f'(a).
Step 2: Find the derivative of the function f(x). The function can be rewritten as f(x) = x^{-1} + 1. Use the power rule for derivatives, which states that \frac{d}{dx}[x^n] = nx^{n-1}, to find f'(x).
Step 3: Apply the power rule to f(x) = x^{-1} + 1. The derivative of x^{-1} is -x^{-2}, and the derivative of a constant (1) is 0. Therefore, f'(x) = -x^{-2}.
Step 4: Evaluate f'(x) at a = -\frac{1}{2}. Substitute x = -\frac{1}{2} into f'(x) = -x^{-2} to find f'(-\frac{1}{2}).
Step 5: Evaluate f'(x) at a = 5. Substitute x = 5 into f'(x) = -x^{-2} to find f'(5).
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