View Full Version : Find the derivative of the following:
dths1980
Jun 23, 2008, 09:25 AM
can someone help please
f(x) = x^2/(x^2+1)^1/2
ebaines
Jun 23, 2008, 10:01 AM
The derivative of a quotient is found using the following rule:
For
f(x) = \frac {g(x)} {h(x)}
The derivative f'(x) is found by:
f'(x) = \frac{ h(x)g'(x)-g(x)h'(x)} {([h(x)]^2}
For your problem:
g(x) = x^2 and h(x) = \sqrt {x^2+1}.
Post back if you have more questions on this.
galactus
Jun 24, 2008, 05:10 AM
You can also use the product rule on this by writinf it as
\underbrace{x^{2}}_{\text{f(x)}}\overbrace{(x^{2}+ 1)^{\frac{-1}{2}}}^{\text{g(x)}}
The product rule is f(x)g'(x)+g(x)f'(x)
I always thought it was easier to use the product rule if one can.
Unknown008
Jun 24, 2008, 05:27 AM
Yup, its shorter and does not require the squared of the second term.