Chapter 3: Problem 106
For the following exercises, find \(f^{\prime}(x)\) for each function. $$f(x)=x^{7}+10$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The derivative is \( f'(x) = 7x^6 \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the function form
The function given is a polynomial function of the form \( f(x) = x^n + c \), where \( n = 7 \) and \( c = 10 \).
02
Apply the power rule for differentiation
The power rule states that if \( f(x) = x^n \), then its derivative \( f'(x) = nx^{n-1} \). We apply this rule to \( x^7 \).
03
Differentiate the constant
The derivative of a constant \( c \) is zero since constants do not change. Thus, the derivative of \( 10 \) is \( 0 \).
04
Write the derivative
Combine the determined derivatives. Since the derivative of \( x^7 \) is \( 7x^6 \) and the derivative of \( 10 \) is \( 0 \), the derivative \( f'(x) \) becomes \( 7x^6 + 0 \).
05
Simplify the expression
Eliminate any unnecessary terms (like zero) to obtain the simplest form of the derivative. So, \( f'(x) = 7x^6 \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Polynomial Function
A polynomial function is a type of mathematical expression that consists of variables and coefficients. These are combined using only addition, subtraction, multiplication, and non-negative integer exponents of variables.
In simpler terms, a polynomial function is formed by summing terms of the form \(ax^n\), where \(a\) is the coefficient and \(n\) is a non-negative integer exponent.
In simpler terms, a polynomial function is formed by summing terms of the form \(ax^n\), where \(a\) is the coefficient and \(n\) is a non-negative integer exponent.
- An example of a polynomial function is \(f(x) = x^7 + 10\).
- The highest exponent in the polynomial is called the degree. Here, the degree is 7.
- Polynomials can have multiple terms, but each part, like \(x^7\) or a constant \(10\), is also considered a term.
Power Rule
The power rule is a simple yet powerful tool in calculus used to find the derivative of functions involving powers of \(x\). It allows us to efficiently differentiate terms like \(x^n\). The power rule states:
- If \( f(x) = x^n \), then the derivative \( f'(x) = nx^{n-1} \).
- This means you multiply the original power \(n\) by the coefficient of \(x^n\) (which is often 1), and reduce the power by one.
- For instance, for \( x^7 \), applying the power rule gives \( 7x^6 \).
Constant
A constant in mathematics is a fixed value that does not change. When it comes to differentiation, constants have a unique property. Their derivative is always zero.
Why? Because differentiation measures how a function changes. Since a constant doesn't change, its rate of change is zero.In our example, \(10\) is a constant. Applying its rule:
Why? Because differentiation measures how a function changes. Since a constant doesn't change, its rate of change is zero.In our example, \(10\) is a constant. Applying its rule:
- The derivative of any constant value \(c\) is \(0\).
- This is because constants do not vary as \(x\) changes, leading to no ‘slope’ or ‘rate of change’.
Differentiation Steps
Differentiation is the process of finding the derivative of a function, indicating how it changes. With polynomials, the steps are systematic and predictable. Let's break it down as done in the given solution.
- **Identify Function Type**: Recognizing it as a polynomial helps plan the differentiation method. Here, \(f(x) = x^7 + 10\).
- **Apply the Power Rule**: For each term with \(x\), use the power rule. E.g., \(x^7\) becomes \(7x^6\).
- **Differentiate Constants**: As mentioned, the derivative of \(10\) is \(0\), because constants don’t change.
- **Combine Results**: Assemble differentiated terms. Here, the derivative becomes \(7x^6 + 0\).
- **Simplify**: Remove any terms that don’t affect the result, like zero, giving the final form \(f'(x) = 7x^6\).