Chapter 3: Problem 16
Differentiate the functions in Problems \(1-20 .\) Assume that \(A\) and \(B\) are constants. $$f(x)=x^{2} \cos x$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The derivative of \(f(x) = x^2 \cos x\) is \(f'(x) = 2x\cos x - x^2\sin x\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the components for product rule
The given function is a product of two functions, \(x^2\) and \(\cos x\). In this step, identify \(u = x^2\) and \(v = \cos x\). We will apply the product rule to differentiate these.
02
Apply the product rule
The product rule states \((uv)' = u'v + uv'\). Here, \(u = x^2\) and \(v = \cos x\). We need to find \(u'\) and \(v'\) first to apply this rule.
03
Differentiate the first function \(u = x^2\)
Differentiate \(u = x^2\) with respect to \(x\) to find \(u'\). \(u' = \frac{d}{dx}(x^2) = 2x\).
04
Differentiate the second function \(v = \cos x\)
Differentiate \(v = \cos x\) with respect to \(x\) to find \(v'\). \(v' = \frac{d}{dx}(\cos x) = -\sin x\).
05
Substitute into the product rule formula
Substitute \(u = x^2\), \(v = \cos x\), \(u' = 2x\), and \(v' = -\sin x\) into the product rule formula. This gives: \(f'(x) = u'v + uv' = (2x)(\cos x) + (x^2)(-\sin x)\).
06
Simplify the expression
Simplify the expression: \(f'(x) = 2x\cos x - x^2\sin x\). This is the derivative of the function \(f(x) = x^2 \cos x\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Product Rule
The product rule is a fundamental concept in calculus used when differentiating a function that is the product of two or more simpler functions. This rule helps us find the derivative of such functions efficiently without having to expand them.
- To employ the product rule, imagine the function as a multiplication of two functions, say, \( u(x) \) and \( v(x) \).
- The product rule formula states: \((uv)' = u'v + uv'\), where \(u'\) is the derivative of \( u(x) \) and \(v'\) is the derivative of \( v(x) \).
- This means the derivative of a product is the derivative of the first function times the second, plus the first function times the derivative of the second.
Derivative
A derivative represents how a function changes as its input changes. It is a fundamental concept in calculus that measures the rate at which a quantity changes.
- In simple terms, the derivative of a function at a point gives the slope of the tangent to the function's graph at that point.
- The process of finding a derivative is known as differentiation. Derivatives help in understanding the behavior of functions, such as identifying maximum and minimum points.
Trigonometric Functions
Trigonometric functions like \( \cos x \) and \( \sin x \) are essential in calculus for modeling periodic phenomena and solving equations involving angles.
- In our problem, \( f(x) = x^2 \cos x \), trigonometric functions play a key role in the differentiation process.
- The derivative of \( \cos x \) is \( -\sin x \). This is a basic differentiation rule for trigonometric functions.
- Understanding the derivatives of trigonometric functions is crucial when they appear as part of a larger function, as was the case here.
Differentiation Techniques
Differentiation techniques encompass a range of strategies to find derivatives of functions efficiently. The main rules include the product rule, quotient rule, and chain rule, each tailored to specific types of function compositions.
- In our example, we used the product rule because \( f(x) = x^2 \cos x \) is a product of two distinct functions: \( x^2 \) and \( \cos x \).
- For \( u = x^2 \), the derivative using basic rules is \( u' = 2x \). This utilizes the power rule of differentiation.
- Similarly, for \( v = \cos x \), the derivative is \( v' = -\sin x \), using the trigonometric derivative rule.