Chapter 27: Problem 15
Find the derivatives of the given functions. $$y=\sqrt{\sec 4 x}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The derivative is \( \frac{dy}{dx} = 2\sec^{-1/2}(4x)\tan(4x) \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Outer Function
The given function is \( y = \sqrt{\sec 4x} \). This is a composition of functions, where the outer function is \( \sqrt{u} = u^{1/2} \).
02
Differentiate the Outer Function
To differentiate \( u^{1/2} \), use the power rule: \( \frac{d}{du}(u^{1/2}) = \frac{1}{2}u^{-1/2} \). Thus, the derivative of the outer function with respect to \( u \) is \( \frac{1}{2}\sec^{1/2}(4x) \cdot (\sec(4x))^{-1/2} \).
03
Identify the Inner Function
Here, the inner function is \( u = \sec(4x) \). Our task is to differentiate this with respect to \( x \).
04
Differentiate the Inner Function
The derivative of \( \sec(u) \) is \( \sec(u)\tan(u) \). Further chain it with the derivative of \( 4x \). For \( u = \sec(4x) \), the derivative is \( \sec(4x)\tan(4x) \cdot 4 \).
05
Apply the Chain Rule
Multiply the derivative of the outer function by the derivative of the inner function according to the chain rule: \( \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{2}\sec^{1/2}(4x) \cdot (\sec(4x))^{-1/2} \cdot \sec(4x)\tan(4x) \cdot 4 \).
06
Simplify the Expression
Combine and simplify the expression. That yields \( \frac{dy}{dx} = 2\sec^{-1/2}(4x)\tan(4x) \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Composition of Functions
In mathematics, a composition of functions involves inserting one function inside another. Think of it as stacking two functions on top of each other. In our case, the given function is
- The outer function: \( y = \sqrt{u} \), which can also be written in the form \( y = u^{1/2} \).
- The inner function: \( u = \sec(4x) \).
Power Rule
The power rule is a straightforward and one of the most frequently used rules in calculus for finding derivatives. It states that for any function of the form \( u^{n} \), the derivative is given by multiplying the power \( n \) by the base \( u \) raised to the power of \( n-1 \). For example,
- \( \frac{d}{du}(u^{n}) = nu^{n-1} \)
- In our case, when differentiating \( y = \sqrt{u} = u^{1/2} \), we used the power rule to find \( \frac{d}{du}(u^{1/2}) = \frac{1}{2}u^{-1/2} \).
Chain Rule
The chain rule is a fundamental principle used to find the derivative of a composition of functions. It articulates how to interrelate the rates of change of the inner and outer functions. The basic form of the chain rule might be expressed as follows:
- If \( y = f(g(x)) \), then its derivative \( \frac{dy}{dx} \) is given by \( f'(g(x)) \cdot g'(x) \).
- Using this in our problem: identify the inner function as \( u = \sec(4x) \) and its derivative as \( \sec(4x)\tan(4x) \cdot 4 \). The outer function's derivative is \( \frac{1}{2}u^{-1/2} \).
Trigonometric Functions
Trigonometric functions include sine, cosine, tangent, and their reciprocals such as secant, cosecant, and cotangent. In calculus, understanding how to differentiate these functions is crucial. Here's a quick rundown:
- \( \frac{d}{dx} (\sec x) = \sec x \tan x \)
- \( \frac{d}{dx} (\tan x) = \sec^2 x \)