Chapter 3: Problem 11
In Exercises \(9-18,\) write the function in the form \(y=f(u)\) and \(u=g(x) .\) Then find \(d y / d x\) as a function of \(x .\) $$y=\left(1-\frac{x}{7}\right)^{-7}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\( \frac{dy}{dx} = \left(1 - \frac{x}{7}\right)^{-8} \)
Step by step solution
01
Identify the components of the function
Start by examining the given function, which is \(y = \left(1 - \frac{x}{7}\right)^{-7}\). The goal is to express this function in terms of a new function \(f(u)\) and an inner function \(g(x)\).
02
Define the inner function
Choose the expression inside the parentheses as the inner function. Set \(u = g(x) = 1 - \frac{x}{7}\). This simplifies the original function into an outer function based on \(u\).
03
Define the outer function
Express the original function in terms of \(u\). With \(u\) defined, \(y\) becomes a function of \(u\): \(y = f(u) = u^{-7}\).
04
Differentiate the outer function
Differentiate \(f(u) = u^{-7}\) with respect to \(u\) to find \(\frac{dy}{du}\). Use the power rule: \(\frac{dy}{du} = -7u^{-8}\).
05
Differentiate the inner function
Differentiate the inner function \(u = 1 - \frac{x}{7}\) with respect to \(x\) to find \(\frac{du}{dx}\). The derivative is \(\frac{du}{dx} = -\frac{1}{7}\).
06
Apply the Chain Rule
Use the chain rule to find \(\frac{dy}{dx}\). This is done by multiplying \(\frac{dy}{du}\) with \(\frac{du}{dx}\): \(\frac{dy}{dx} =\frac{dy}{du} \cdot \frac{du}{dx} = -7u^{-8} \cdot -\frac{1}{7}\).
07
Simplify the expression
Simplify the expression for \(\frac{dy}{dx}\). The \(-7\) and \(-\frac{1}{7}\) cancel out, yielding \(u^{-8}\). Substitute back \(u = 1 - \frac{x}{7}\), leading to \(\frac{dy}{dx} = \left(1 - \frac{x}{7}\right)^{-8}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Composite Functions
In calculus, a composite function is a function that results from the combination of two other functions. These other functions are typically known as the "inner" and "outer" functions. When you have an equation like \( y = (1 - \frac{x}{7})^{-7} \), breaking it into a composite function can help simplify the differentiation process.
First, identify the inner function; here, it's \( g(x) = 1 - \frac{x}{7} \). This represents the expression inside the parentheses. The outer function, now relying on \( u \), becomes \( y = f(u) = u^{-7} \). This step is crucial as it separates the complexities of dealing with nested functions.
In practice:
First, identify the inner function; here, it's \( g(x) = 1 - \frac{x}{7} \). This represents the expression inside the parentheses. The outer function, now relying on \( u \), becomes \( y = f(u) = u^{-7} \). This step is crucial as it separates the complexities of dealing with nested functions.
In practice:
- Identify the inner and outer functions.
- Express the original function as a function of the inner function.
Differentiation
Differentiation is a fundamental concept in calculus that deals with finding the rate at which a function is changing at any given point. For a function \( f(x) \), the derivative \( f'(x) \) gives this rate of change. Calculating the derivative of a composite function uses the Chain Rule, a powerful tool in calculus.
In this exercise, after expressing \( y = (1 - \frac{x}{7})^{-7} \) as a composite function, you can differentiate both the inner and the outer functions separately. First, find \( \frac{du}{dx} \) for the inner function \( g(x) = 1 - \frac{x}{7} \), leading to \( \frac{du}{dx} = -\frac{1}{7} \). Then, differentiate the outer function \( f(u) = u^{-7} \) to get \( \frac{dy}{du} = -7u^{-8} \).
Differentiation steps:
In this exercise, after expressing \( y = (1 - \frac{x}{7})^{-7} \) as a composite function, you can differentiate both the inner and the outer functions separately. First, find \( \frac{du}{dx} \) for the inner function \( g(x) = 1 - \frac{x}{7} \), leading to \( \frac{du}{dx} = -\frac{1}{7} \). Then, differentiate the outer function \( f(u) = u^{-7} \) to get \( \frac{dy}{du} = -7u^{-8} \).
Differentiation steps:
- Identify changes of the outer function concerning the inner variable.
- Identify changes of the inner function concerning \( x \).
Power Rule
The Power Rule is one of the simplest and most useful rules in differentiation, particularly when dealing with functions of the form \( x^n \). This rule states that if \( f(x) = x^n \), then \( f'(x) = nx^{n-1} \).
When differentiating the outer function in this problem, \( f(u) = u^{-7} \), the Power Rule simplifies the process. By applying it, you derive \( \frac{dy}{du} = -7u^{-8} \), which represents the derivative of \( u^{-7} \) with respect to \( u \). This shows the elegance and efficiency of the Power Rule in calculus.
To apply the Power Rule:
When differentiating the outer function in this problem, \( f(u) = u^{-7} \), the Power Rule simplifies the process. By applying it, you derive \( \frac{dy}{du} = -7u^{-8} \), which represents the derivative of \( u^{-7} \) with respect to \( u \). This shows the elegance and efficiency of the Power Rule in calculus.
To apply the Power Rule:
- Identify the exponent \( n \) of the term.
- Multiply the entire term by \( n \) and reduce the exponent by one.