Q.Find the derivative of .
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →The derivative of is found by applying the limit definition of the derivative at a point. The key is to combine the fractions in the numerator and simplify before taking the limit. The result is .
The derivative of a function at a point tells us the instantaneous rate of change — the slope of the tangent line. For , we can't just "bring down the exponent" without thinking, because the function is a rational expression. The most reliable way is to go back to the definition: the derivative is the limit of the difference quotient as .
Let's work through it.
- Write the difference quotient. The definition is:
For , we have . So:
- Combine the fractions in the numerator. The numerator is a difference of two fractions. Get a common denominator:
So the difference quotient becomes:
The cancels — this is the crucial simplification that removes the division by zero problem.
- Take the limit as . Now we have: …
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