For y=x/(x+4)^0.5, solve dy/dx

As x is present as both numerator and denominator (top & bottom), we're going to use the quotient rule to solve this. The quotient rule is as follows:For y=f(x)/g(x), dy/dx=(f'(x).g(x)-f(x).g'(x))/((g(x))^2) ---See whiteboard for a clearer demonstration
Considering that f'(x).g(x)= The first derivative of f(x) multiplied by g(x). First derivative simply means df(x)/dx i.e just differentiate f(x).
When applied to our question we can see that: f(x)=x so f'(x)=1 and g(x)=(x+4)^0.5 so g'(x)=0.5(x+4)^-0.5 following the chain rule.
We can now substitute these terms into the quotient rule so that dy/dx=((x+4)^0.5 -0.5x(x+4)^-0.5)/(x+4)
This can be further simplified by multiplying all terms by (x+4)^-0.5 to get dy/dx=(x+4-0.5x)/(x+4)^1.5=(0.5x+4)/((x+4)^1.5)

TM

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

Differentiate the equation y = (2x+5)^2 using the chain rule to determine the x coordinate of a stationary point on the curve.


Consider the functions f and g where f (x) = 3x − 5 and g (x) = x − 2 . (a) Find the inverse function, f^−1 . (b) Given that g^−1(x) = x + 2 , find (g^−1 o f )(x) . (c) Given also that (f^−1 o g)(x) = (x + 3)/3 , solve (f^−1 o g)(x) = (g^−1 o f)(x)


how can differentiate using the product and chain rule? e.g y=(4x+1)^3(sin2x), find dy/dx.


A ball is thrown vertically upwards with a speed of 24.5m/s. For how long is the ball higher than 29.4m above its initial position? Take acceleration due to gravity to be 9.8m/s^2.