Given that y = 4x^3 – 5/(x^2) , x =/= 0, find in its simplest form dy/dx.

We are given: y = 4x^3  – 5/(x^2) To find the dy/dx we are going to use the power rule, from the power rule differentiating x^n gives n*x^n-1, so from our equation differetiating x^3 will give 3x^2, but we need the differential of 4x^3, this will be 12x^3. The derivative of 5/(x^2) is the same as differentiating 5x^-2,  hence, again from the power rule,  differentiating 5x^-2 gives -10x^-3, which is the same as -10/(x^3) so dy/dx = 12x^2 -10/(x^3)

MA
Answered by Mohamed A. Maths tutor

5523 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is a radian?


What is the value of sin(theta), cos(theta), tan(theta) where theta = 0, 30, 45, 60, 90


The circle C has centre (3, 1) and passes through the point P(8, 3). (a) Find an equation for C. (b) Find an equation for the tangent to C at P, giving your answer in the form ax + by + c = 0 , where a, b and c are integers.


Prove that the derivative of tan(x) is sec^2(x).


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning