Chapter 2: Problem 7
In each case, find the derivative \(\frac{d y}{d x}\) from first principles. a. \(y=6-7 x\) b. \(y=\frac{x+1}{x-1}\) c. \(y=3 x^{2}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
a. \(\frac{d y}{d x} = -7\); b. \(\frac{d y}{d x} = \frac{-2}{(x-1)^2}\); c. \(\frac{d y}{d x} = 6x\).
Step by step solution
01
Introduction to Differentiation from First Principles
Differentiating a function from first principles involves finding the limit of the difference quotient as the change in the input approaches zero. The difference quotient for a function \(y=f(x)\) is given by \( \frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} \). The derivative is \( \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} \).
02
Derivative of a Linear Function
For the function \(y = 6 - 7x\), find \(f(x+h)\):\(f(x+h) = 6 - 7(x+h) = 6 - 7x - 7h\).Compute the difference quotient:\(\frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} = \frac{(6 - 7x - 7h) - (6 - 7x)}{h} = \frac{-7h}{h} = -7\).Take the limit as \(h\to 0\):\(\lim_{h\to 0} (-7) = -7\).Therefore, \(\frac{d y}{d x} = -7\).
03
Derivative of a Rational Function
For \(y=\frac{x+1}{x-1}\), find \(f(x+h)\):\(f(x+h) = \frac{(x+h)+1}{(x+h)-1}\).Difference quotient:\(\frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} = \frac{\frac{x+h+1}{x+h-1} - \frac{x+1}{x-1}}{h}\).Combine the fractions:\( \frac{(x+h+1)(x-1) - (x+1)(x+h-1)}{h(x+h-1)(x-1)} \).Simplify the numerator:Expand and simplify: \((x+h+1)(x-1) - (x+1)(x+h-1) = x^2 + xh + x - xh - h - 1 - x^2 - xh - x + xh -1\).Simplified numerator: \( -2h \).Simplify:\(\frac{-2h}{h(x+h-1)(x-1)} = \frac{-2}{(x+h-1)(x-1)}\).Take the limit as \(h\to 0\):\(\lim_{h \to 0} \frac{-2}{(x+h-1)(x-1)} = \frac{-2}{(x-1)^2}\).Thus, \(\frac{d y}{d x} = \frac{-2}{(x-1)^2}\).
04
Derivative of a Quadratic Function
For the function \(y = 3x^2\), find \(f(x+h)\):\(f(x+h) = 3(x+h)^2 = 3(x^2 + 2xh + h^2) = 3x^2 + 6xh + 3h^2\).Difference quotient:\(\frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} = \frac{(3x^2 + 6xh + 3h^2) - 3x^2}{h} = \frac{6xh + 3h^2}{h}\).Simplify:\(6x + 3h\).Take the limit as \(h\to 0\): \(\lim_{h\to 0} (6x + 3h) = 6x\).Therefore, \(\frac{d y}{d x} = 6x\).
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Difference Quotient
The difference quotient is a fundamental concept in calculus. It is used to estimate the slope of the tangent line to a curve at a point. This slope is essentially the derivative of a function. For a function given by \(f(x)\), the difference quotient is expressed as:
- \( \frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} \)
Limit Definition of Derivative
To find the derivative from first principles, we use the limit definition of a derivative. This involves calculating the limit of the difference quotient as \(h\) goes to zero. Mathematically, the derivative \(f'(x)\) is given by:
- \( \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} \)
Linear Functions Differentiation
Linear functions are the simplest to differentiate. Consider a linear function like \(y = 6 - 7x\). To find its derivative using first principles:
- Compute \(f(x+h)\): becomes \(6 - 7(x+h)\) simplifying to \(6 - 7x - 7h\).
- Apply difference quotient: \( \frac{(6 - 7x - 7h) - (6 - 7x)}{h} = \frac{-7h}{h}\).
- Simplify to get: \(-7\).
- Applying the limit: As \(h\) approaches zero, the expression stays at \(-7\). The derivative of \(y\) with respect to \(x\) is thus \(-7\).
Rational Functions Differentiation
For rational functions, such as \(y = \frac{x+1}{x-1}\), finding derivatives involves more detailed algebraic manipulation. Here’s the process:
- Compute \(f(x+h)\): Simplifies to \(\frac{x+h+1}{x+h-1}\).
- Difference quotient: \(\frac{\frac{x+h+1}{x+h-1} - \frac{x+1}{x-1}}{h}\).
- Combine using common denominators, simplify: This involves expanding polynomials and simplifying.
- Simplified to \(\frac{-2}{(x+h-1)(x-1)}\).
- Take limit as \(h\to 0\): Results in \(-\frac{2}{(x-1)^2}\).
Quadratic Functions Differentiation
Quadratic functions, like \(y = 3x^2\), involve polynomial expressions, and here's how to differentiate them from first principles:
- Calculate \(f(x+h)\): Expanding \((x+h)^2\) gives \(x^2 + 2xh + h^2\), leading to \(3x^2 + 6xh + 3h^2\).
- Apply the difference quotient: \(\frac{3x^2 + 6xh + 3h^2 - 3x^2}{h} = \frac{6xh + 3h^2}{h}\).
- Simplify: Results in \(6x + 3h\).
- Take the limit as \(h\to 0\): Simplifies directly to \(6x\).