Chapter 7: Problem 7
Find the derivative of \(y\) with respect to \(x, t,\) or \(\theta,\) as appropriate. \begin{equation}y=e^{-5 x}\end{equation}
Short Answer
Expert verified
The derivative is \( \frac{dy}{dx} = -5e^{-5x} \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Function to Differentiate
The function given is \( y = e^{-5x} \). We need to find its derivative with respect to \( x \).
02
Apply the Exponential Derivative Rule
Recall that the derivative of \( e^{u} \) with respect to \( x \) is \( e^{u} \times \frac{du}{dx} \). Here, \( u = -5x \), so we need to find \( \frac{du}{dx} \).
03
Differentiate the Exponent
Differentiate \( u = -5x \) with respect to \( x \). The derivative is \( \frac{du}{dx} = -5 \).
04
Use the Chain Rule
Apply the chain rule to differentiate the function. The derivative of \( y = e^{-5x} \) is the original function \( e^{-5x} \) times the derivative of the exponent: \[ \frac{dy}{dx} = e^{-5x} \times (-5) \].
05
Simplify the Derivative
Simplify the expression obtained from the differentiation: \( \frac{dy}{dx} = -5e^{-5x} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Exponential Function
An exponential function is a mathematical expression where a constant base is raised to a variable exponent. In the expression \( y = e^{-5x} \), the base \( e \) is the Euler's number, approximately equal to 2.71828. Such functions are powerful because they model growth and decay processes effectively, such as radioactive decay or population growth.
Exponential functions have a unique property: their rate of change is proportional to their value. This leads to their widespread use in real-world applications. In calculus, understanding how these functions change—i.e., finding their derivatives—is crucial.
Exponential functions have a unique property: their rate of change is proportional to their value. This leads to their widespread use in real-world applications. In calculus, understanding how these functions change—i.e., finding their derivatives—is crucial.
Chain Rule
In calculus, the chain rule is a fundamental principle used to find the derivative of a composite function. A composite function is essentially a combination of two or more functions. The rule is essential when dealing with functions nested within each other, like \( y = e^{-5x} \).
Applying the chain rule involves two main steps:
For our example of \( y = e^{-5x} \), the outer function is \( e^u \) with \( u = -5x \), and its derivative involves exponential and linear differentiation.
Applying the chain rule involves two main steps:
- Differentiate the outer function, leaving the inner function unchanged.
- Multiply by the derivative of the inner function.
For our example of \( y = e^{-5x} \), the outer function is \( e^u \) with \( u = -5x \), and its derivative involves exponential and linear differentiation.
Differentiation
Differentiation is the process used to find the derivative of a function. It measures how a function changes as its input changes, and is akin to finding the slope of the tangent to the function's graph at any point.
In determining the derivative of \( y = e^{-5x} \), we used differentiation to find how \( y \) changes with respect to \( x \). This involves understanding how the rate of change of \( e^{-5x} \) depends on \( x \), which is particularly important in calculus for analyzing and interpreting graphs, economic models, and physical phenomena.
In determining the derivative of \( y = e^{-5x} \), we used differentiation to find how \( y \) changes with respect to \( x \). This involves understanding how the rate of change of \( e^{-5x} \) depends on \( x \), which is particularly important in calculus for analyzing and interpreting graphs, economic models, and physical phenomena.
Exponential Derivative Rule
The exponential derivative rule provides a straightforward way to differentiate exponential functions. Specifically, for \( e^u \), the rule states that the derivative is \( e^u \times \frac{du}{dx} \). This is derived from the function's unique property where its derivative mirrors its original form.
In our example of \( y = e^{-5x} \), knowing \( u = -5x \), we apply this rule to find that the derivative is \( e^{-5x} \) multiplied by \( -5 \), resulting in \(-5e^{-5x}\). This rule is vital as it simplifies finding derivatives for complex exponential functions, emphasizing the elegance and simplicity in calculus.
In our example of \( y = e^{-5x} \), knowing \( u = -5x \), we apply this rule to find that the derivative is \( e^{-5x} \) multiplied by \( -5 \), resulting in \(-5e^{-5x}\). This rule is vital as it simplifies finding derivatives for complex exponential functions, emphasizing the elegance and simplicity in calculus.