The curve C has equation y = 3x^4 – 8x^3 – 3. Find dy/dx.
To find dy/dx, the differential, of any function... you must times the coefficient of each variable of x by its power, then reduce the power by one. Using this information we can work out that 3x^4 turns to 12x^3, and -8x^3 turns to -24x^2. Since -3 doesn't appear to be a coefficient of x, we must imagine it to be -3x^0. Therefore when you multiple the coefficient, 3, by 0, this part of the equation turns to zero.
Therefore if curve C has equation y = 3x^4 – 8x^3 – 3. We know that dy/dx = 12x^3 - 24x^2 (+0).
JC
Related Maths A Level answers
All answers ▸Find the cross product of vectors a and b ( a x b ) where a = 3i + 6j + 4k and b = 6i - 2j + 0k.
Differentiate 6x^2+2x+1 by first principles, showing every step in the process.
A curve has the equation y=3 + x^2 -2x^3. Find the two stationary points of this curve.
Solve the differential equation: e^(2y) * (dy/dx) + tan(x) = 0, given that y = 0 when x = 0. Give your answer in the form y = f(x).