Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Solving Calculus Derivative Problems

Two mathematicians, Namely Gottfried Leibniz and Isaac Newton, developed calculus. Calculus problems can be dividing into two branches: Differential Calculus problems and Integral Calculus problems. Differential calculus is use to measure the rate of change of a given quantity whereas the integral calculus is use to measure the quantity when the rate of change is known.

The output of a function will change when we change the input value of a function.The measure of the change in the function is called as Derivative. The solving of  derivative of a function can be calculated by differentiating the function.Let us see how to solving the derivative problems.


Calculus derivative example problems:


The following solving problems  are based on the  derivatives.

Solving problem 1:

Determine the derivative dy/dx of the inverse of function f defined by

f(x) = (1/8) x - 2

Solution:

The first is used to find the inverse of f and differentiate it. To find the inverse of f we first write it as an equation

y = (1/8) x - 2

Solve for x.

x = 8y + 16.

Change y to x and x to y.

y = 8x + 16.

The above gives the inverse function of f. Let us find the derivative

dy / dx = 8


Solving problem 2:

Determine the critical number(s) of the polynomial function f given by

f(x) = x 4 - 108x + 100

Solution:


The domain of f is the set of all real numbers. The first derivative f ' is given by

f '(x) = 4 x 3 - 108

f '(x) is defined for all real numbers. Let us now solve f '(x) = 0

4 x 3 - 108 = 0

Add 108 on both sides,

4x 3– 108 108=108

4x 3= 108

x 3 = 27

x = 3 or x = -3

Since x = 3 and x = -3 are in the domain of f they are both critical numbers.

I like to share this derivative of secx with you all through my article.

Calculus derivative Practice Problems:


1) Determine the derivative dy/dx of the inverse of function f defined by

f(x) = x/2+ 3x/2 - 2

2) Determine the critical number(s) of the polynomial function f given by

f(x) = x 3 - 48x + 10

Answer Key:

1). dy / dx = 2

2).X = 4 or X= -4

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