Scribd
Upload
3K views6 pages

The Derivatives of Radical Function Final

This document defines the derivative of a radical function f(x)=√u where u is a differentiable function. It states that the derivative is equal to (du/2√u). It then provides examples of finding the derivative of several radical functions using this definition and the chain rule. These examples illustrate applying rationalization or changing the radical to a fractional exponent to simplify the derivative. The document concludes with an activity asking the reader to find the derivative of 10 additional radical functions.

Uploaded by

Dina Grace Magnaye
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
3K views6 pages

The Derivatives of Radical Function Final

This document defines the derivative of a radical function f(x)=√u where u is a differentiable function. It states that the derivative is equal to (du/2√u). It then provides examples of finding the derivative of several radical functions using this definition and the chain rule. These examples illustrate applying rationalization or changing the radical to a fractional exponent to simplify the derivative. The document concludes with an activity asking the reader to find the derivative of 10 additional radical functions.

Uploaded by

Dina Grace Magnaye
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

The Derivatives of Radical Function

Definition.
If y=f ( x )=√ u, where u is a differentiable function, then

du
y'=
2 √u
dy du du
Also , √ u= ∧f ' ( x )=
dx 2 √u 2 √u

Note: this definition is only applicable for radicals with index 2.

1. Find the derivative of the function, y= √3 x 2.

Method 1:

If we are going to apply the definition, we can express the derivative as


6x
y'=
2 √3 x 2
6x is the derivative of radicand 3 x 2;
Simplifying the derivative,
3x
y'=
√3 x 2
3x
y'=
x √3
3
y'=
√3
In order to eliminate the radical on the denominator, we are going to rationalize
the denominator. Thus, we multiply both the numerator and denominator by √ 3. That is,

3 √3
y'= ×
√3 √ 3
3 √3
y'=
3

y ' =√ 3

Method 2.
The second possible solution can be done by applying the Chain Rule, which
was discussed earlier in this chapter.
First, we are going to transform the radical into fractional exponent. So, we have
1
2 2
y=( 3 x )
Applying the Chain Rule,
−1
' 1 2
y = ( 3 x ) 2 (6 x)
2
In order to make the exponent 3 x 2 positive, we shall put in on the denominator. Thus,
6x
y'= 1
2 2
2(3 x )
If we are going to simplify,
3x
y'=
√3 x 2
3x
y'=
x √3
3 √3
y'= ×
√3 √ 3
3 √3
y'=
3

y ' =√ 3

Notice that, in two different solutions, we can arrive at the same answer.

Example 2. Find the derivative of function. y= √ (3 x−4)3


Method 1.

u=(3 x−4)3

du=3 ( 3 x−4 )2 (3)


du
y'=
2 √u

3 ( 3 x−4 )2(3)
y'=
2 √ (3 x−4)3

9 ( 3 x−4 )2
y'=
2 √ (3 x −4)3
2
9 ( 3 x−4 )
y'=
2 ( 3 x−4 ) √ 3 x −4
9(3 x−4)
y'=
2 √ 3 x−4
9(3 x−4)
y'=
2 √ 3 x−4
9(3 x−4) √ 3 x−4
y'= ×
2 √ 3 x−4 √ 3 x−4
9(3 x−4) √3 x−4
y'=
2(3 x−4)
1
2
9 √ 3 x−4 9 ( 3 x−4 )
y'= ∨ y'=
2 2

Method 2.
3
y= √ ( 3 x−4 )
3
y=(3 x−4 ) 2
1
3(
y '= 3 x−4 2 (3)
)
2
1
2
9 ( 3 x−4 )
y '=
2

Example 3. Find the derivative of function y= √ x 2−6 x +4

Method 1.

u=x2 −6 x+ 4

du=2 x2−6

2 x 2−6
y '=
2 √ x 2−6 x + 4
2(x−3)
y '=
2 √ x 2−6 x + 4
(x−3)
y '=
√ x 2−6 x+ 4
( x−3) √ x 2−6 x + 4
y '= 2 ×
√ x −6 x+ 4 √ x 2−6 x + 4
1
(x−3) √ x 2−6 x+ 4 ( x−3)(x 2−6 x+ 4) 2
y '= ∨
x 2−6 x + 4 x2 −6 x+ 4

Method 2.

y= √ x 2−6 x +4
1
y=(x ¿¿ 2−6 x +4) 2 ¿
−1
' 1
y = ( x ¿¿ 2−6 x + 4) 2 (2 x−6)¿
2
2 x −6
y'= 1
2 ( x 2−6 x + 4 ) 2

2( x−3)
y'= 1
2 2
2 ( x −6 x + 4 )
(x−3)
y'=
√ x 2−6 x + 4
( x−3) x 2−6 x +4
y'= ×√
√ x 2−6 x + 4 √ x 2−6 x +4
1
2 2 2
(x−3) √ x −6 x + 4 ( x−3)(x −6 x + 4)
y'= ∨
x 2−6 x +4 x 2−6 x +4
Example 4. Find the derivative of the function y= √3 x−4
If we are going to apply the second method, we change first the radical to fractional
exponent form. Thus, we have
2
3
y= ( x −4 )
Again, in order to get the derivative of this function, we are going to apply the Chain
Rule. So,
−1
2
y '= ( x −4 ) 3 (1)
3
In order to make the exponent of (x-4) positive, we are going to put those terms on the
denominator.
2
y '= 1
3( x −4) 3
2
y '= 3
3 √ x−4
In order to eliminate the radical on the denominator, we are going to multiply both the
numerator and the denominator by its conjugate, √ 3 x+ 4. Therefore, our final answer will
be

2 √3 x −4
y '=
3 x−12

Activity:
Find the derivative of the following functions:

1. y= √ 6 x 2−4 x +8
2. y= √ 2 x−4
3. y= √ ¿ ¿
4. y= √ ¿ ¿
5. y= √ 4 x 2
6. y= √ 5 x3 −2
7. y= √3 ¿ ¿
8. y= √ 4 x 2−2
9. y= √ 5 x2−4
3
10. y= √ x−3

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy