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Q.Prove that for any positive integer nn, ddx(xn)=nxn−1\dfrac{d}{dx}(x^n) = nx^{n-1}.

Assam AhsecAHSEC Higher Secondary (HS) 1st Year Examination 2024Subjective· 4mImportance★★★★★
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Expanding (x+h)n(x+h)^n by the binomial theorem and taking h→0h\to0 gives nxn−1nx^{n-1}.

Let f(x)=xnf(x)=x^n, nn a positive integer. By the first-principles (limit) definition of the derivative:

f′(x)=lim⁡h→0(x+h)n−xnhf'(x) = \lim_{h\to 0} \frac{(x+h)^n - x^n}{h}

Expand (x+h)n(x+h)^n using the Binomial Theorem:

(x+h)n=xn+nxn−1h+(n2)xn−2h2+⋯+hn(x+h)^n = x^n + nx^{n-1}h + \binom{n}{2}x^{n-2}h^2 + \cdots + h^n

So

(x+h)n−xn=nxn−1h+(n2)xn−2h2+⋯+hn=h[nxn−1+(n2)xn−2h+⋯+hn−1](x+h)^n - x^n = nx^{n-1}h + \binom{n}{2}x^{n-2}h^2 + \cdots + h^n = h\left[nx^{n-1} + \binom{n}{2}x^{n-2}h + \cdots + h^{n-1}\right]

Divide by hh (h≠0h\ne 0): …

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