Chapter 2: Problem 22
Find \(d y / d x\). $$ y=\sqrt[4]{2 x+1} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The derivative is \( \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{2}(2x + 1)^{-3/4} \).
Step by step solution
01
Rewrite the function
The function given is \( y = \sqrt[4]{2x + 1} \). We can rewrite this as a power function: \( y = (2x + 1)^{1/4} \). This will make it easier to apply the power rule for differentiation.
02
Differentiate using the power rule
The power rule states that if \( y = u^n \), then \( \frac{dy}{dx} = n \cdot u^{n-1} \cdot \frac{du}{dx} \). Using this rule, we have \( n = \frac{1}{4} \) and \( u = 2x + 1 \). So, \( \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{4}(2x + 1)^{-3/4} \cdot \frac{d}{dx}(2x + 1) \).
03
Differentiate the inner function
Now, find \( \frac{d}{dx}(2x + 1) \). The derivative of \( 2x \) is 2 and the derivative of 1 is 0, so \( \frac{d}{dx}(2x + 1) = 2 \).
04
Simplify the expression
Substitute \( \frac{d}{dx}(2x + 1) = 2 \) back into the derivative expression to get \( \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{4}(2x + 1)^{-3/4} \cdot 2 \). Simplify to \( \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{2}(2x + 1)^{-3/4} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Power Rule
The power rule is a fundamental tool in calculus, particularly when we are working with derivatives of functions in the form of a power. This rule states that for a function expressed as a power of another function, such as \( y = u^n \), the derivative \( \frac{dy}{dx} \) is obtained by multiplying the power \( n \) by the original function \( u \), raised to the power \( n-1 \), and then multiplying by the derivative of \( u \).
- For example, if \( y = (2x + 1)^{1/4} \), the power rule helps us differentiate this by applying \( n = 1/4 \) and having \( u = 2x + 1 \).
- The process involves calculating the derivative with respect to \( x \), which is \( \frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{1}{4}(2x + 1)^{-3/4} \cdot \frac{d}{dx}(2x + 1) \).
Differentiation
Differentiation is a process in calculus that allows us to determine how a function changes as its input changes. It's essentially about finding the rate of change or the slope of a curve at any given point.
- For functions like \( y = (2x + 1)^{1/4} \), differentiation involves using certain rules, such as the power rule, to systematically find \( \frac{dy}{dx} \).
- At the core of differentiation is understanding how incremental changes in \( x \) influence changes in \( y \).
- In this instance, after using the power rule, we further differentiate the inner function \( 2x + 1 \) to get a derivative of 2.
Function Transformation
Function transformation involves changing the form of a function to make it easier to work with, especially when calculating derivatives. In our example, the original function was \( y = \sqrt[4]{2x + 1} \) and we transformed it to \( y = (2x + 1)^{1/4} \).
- This transformation process is crucial because it simplifies functions, allowing us to apply rules like the power rule more directly.
- When dealing with composite functions, such as those involving radicals or exponential powers, rewriting them into power form helps streamline the differentiation process.