Chapter 3: Problem 34
In Exercises, find \(d y / d x\). $$ y=x+1 / x $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\( \frac{dy}{dx} = 1 - \frac{1}{x^2} \)
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Expression
The expression given is \( y = x + \frac{1}{x} \). This expression is a combination of a linear term \( x \) and a reciprocal term \( \frac{1}{x} \). Our goal is to differentiate it with respect to \( x \).
02
Differentiate the Linear Term
The first term \( x \) is a simple linear term. The derivative of \( x \) with respect to \( x \) is 1, expressed as \( \frac{d}{dx}(x) = 1 \).
03
Differentiate the Reciprocal Term
Next, we take the derivative of \( \frac{1}{x} \). Recall that the derivative of \( \frac{1}{x} \) is \( -\frac{1}{x^2} \), which can be obtained using the power rule: \( \frac{d}{dx}(x^{-1}) = -x^{-2} \).
04
Combine the Derivatives
Now, add the derivatives of the linear term and the reciprocal term together to find \( \frac{dy}{dx} \). This results in \( \frac{dy}{dx} = 1 - \frac{1}{x^2} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Derivative Calculation
Differentiation is a fundamental concept in calculus that describes how a function changes as its input changes. It's like finding the slope of the function's graph at any given point.
- The original function we are working with is: \[ y = x + \frac{1}{x} \]
- When we differentiate to find \( \frac{dy}{dx} \), we separate into parts and calculate each term independently.
- The derivative of \( x \) is simply 1. This result stems from the fact that when you graph \( y = x \), the slope at any point is constant, equal to 1.
- The derivative of \( \frac{1}{x} \) uses the power rule applied to the expression \( x^{-1} \). This rule states that \( \frac{d}{dx}(x^n) = nx^{n-1} \), leading to \(-x^{-2}\) or \(-\frac{1}{x^2}\).
Linear Term
A linear term in any expression refers to a term of the first degree, typically taking the form \( ax + b \). These terms are straightforward to differentiate because their rate of change, or slope, is constant.In the given exercise, the linear term is simply \( x \). When dealing with a basic linear function such as this:
- Derivative of \( x \) with respect to \( x \) is a constant 1. This result comes from the direct relation in its slope, meaning the rate of change is unchanging.
Reciprocal Term
A reciprocal term is one where the variable is in the denominator, such as \( \frac{1}{x} \). These terms introduce a bit more complexity due to how division by a variable affects the overall rate of change. The derivative of a reciprocal function, like \( \frac{1}{x} \), is derived using the power rule:
- Write \( \frac{1}{x} \) as \( x^{-1} \). This transformation allows us to use the power rule for differentiation.
- According to the power rule, differentiate \( x^{-1} \) to obtain \( -x^{-2} \), or rephrased as \(-\frac{1}{x^2}\).