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Why does the second derivative tell us something about a function?

Because by looking at the second derivative of a function you are essentially looking at the rate of change of the rate of change. This carries useful information about a function's behaviour and in some sen...
DJ
Answered by Daniel J. • Maths tutor
4245 Views

How do I invert a 2x2 square matrix?

A 2x2 square matrix is of the format (a b;c d). First you must check whether the matrix is invertible at all: if a d - b c is 0, the matrix is not invertible. The inverse matrix is (1/(ad-bc))*(d -b;-c a)
AY
Answered by Anita Y. • Maths tutor
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When would you apply the product rule in differentiation and how do you do this?

The product rule is used to differentiate a function when it is in the form y= u(x) v(x). To use the rule you differentiate u(x) and multiply that by v(x), and then add that to the differential of v(x) multi...
RS
Answered by Robin S. • Maths tutor
4548 Views

An ellipse has the equation (x^2)/4 + (y^2)/9 = 1. Find the equation of the tangent at (-6/5 , 12/5)

y = 9/8 x + 15/4. Explanation in person.
TB
Answered by Thomas B. • Maths tutor
4962 Views

Differentiate: y=12x(2x+1)+1/x

This question has two parts, firstly the "12x(2x+1)" this is a product rule format, the 1/x is a simple differentiation format but for ease should be written as "x^(-1)" solution: dy/dx= ...
DS
Answered by Daniel S. • Maths tutor
5475 Views