/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 19 Find the derivative of \(f(x)\) ... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

Find the derivative of \(f(x)\) at the designated value of \(x .\) $$f(x)=\frac{1}{x} \text { at } x=\frac{2}{3}$$

Short Answer

Expert verified
-\frac{9}{4}

Step by step solution

01

- Define the function

Given the function is \[ f(x) = \frac{1}{x} \]
02

- Find the derivative of the function

Use the power rule for derivatives. Since \[ f(x) = x^{-1} \], the derivative \[ f'(x) = \frac{d}{dx}(x^{-1}) \] is \[ f'(x) = -x^{-2} = -\frac{1}{x^2} \]
03

- Evaluate the derivative at the given x value

Substitute \[ x = \frac{2}{3} \] into the derivative. \[ f'\left(\frac{2}{3}\right) = -\frac{1}{(\frac{2}{3})^2} = -\frac{1}{\frac{4}{9}} = -\frac{9}{4} \]

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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 principle in differentiation used to find the derivative of functions of the form \( x^n \). This rule states that if you have a function \( f(x) = x^n \), then its derivative is \( f'(x) = nx^{n-1} \). Here's a step-by-step guide to using the power rule:
  • First, identify the exponent \( n \) in the function \( x^n \).
  • Next, multiply the function by this exponent, \( n \).
  • Finally, decrease the exponent by one to obtain the derivative.
In our example, \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x} \), we first rewrite it using a negative exponent: \( f(x) = x^{-1} \). Applying the power rule:
\[ f'(x) = -x^{-2} = -\frac{1}{x^2} \]
Differentiation
Differentiation is the process of finding the derivative of a function. The derivative represents how a function changes as its input changes. There are various techniques, rules, and formulas used in differentiation, but they all aim to measure the rate at which a dependent variable changes with respect to an independent variable.
It helps in finding the slope of the function at any point. The steps for differentiation are:
  • Identify the function you need to differentiate.
  • Apply the appropriate differentiation rule or formula.
  • Simplify the resulting expression to find the derivative.
In our case, we have:
  • The function is \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x} \)
  • Rewrite it as \( f(x) = x^{-1} \)
  • We apply the power rule to find its derivative \( f'(x) = -x^{-2} \).
Evaluation of Derivatives
Once we have found the derivative of a function, the next step usually involves evaluating this derivative at a specific point. This process is simple and involves substituting the given value of \( x \) into the derivative function to find the slope of the original function at that point. Here’s how to do it:
  • Take the derivative function, which in our case is \( f'(x) = -\frac{1}{x^2} \).
  • Substitute the given value of \( x \) into this derivative.
  • Simplify the resulting expression to get the final value.
For the given problem, we need to evaluate the derivative at \( x = \frac{2}{3} \):
  • Substitute \( x = \frac{2}{3} \) into \( f'(x) \): \[ f'\bigg( \frac{2}{3} \bigg) = -\frac{1}{ ( \frac{2}{3} )^2 } \]
  • Simplify inside the parenthesis: \[ -\frac{1}{ \frac{4}{9} } \]
  • Invert and multiply: \[ -\frac{9}{4} \]
Thus, the slope of the function \( f(x) \) at \( x = \frac{2}{3} \) is \( -\frac{9}{4} \).

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