## anonymous 4 years ago Differentiate the function?

1. anonymous

Not sure how to, I know about f(x+h).... The function is $$\ \Huge y=x^{\frac{-2}{5}}$$.

2. baldymcgee6

Do you want to use the definition of a derivative, or differentiating rules?

3. anonymous

|dw:1351143271652:dw|

4. anonymous

I don't know, honestly I don't know because we got this assignment after a test without explanation

5. baldymcgee6

Have you heard of the power rule?

6. anonymous

No...

7. baldymcgee6

Does this look familiar?|dw:1351143348273:dw|

8. anonymous

Yup!

9. baldymcgee6

ok... good!

10. baldymcgee6

can you set it up?

11. anonymous

Hmm, just plug (x+h) for x?

12. anonymous

Where does the power rule come in?

13. baldymcgee6

Basically.. forget the power rule. you will learn that later. For now you must use this method :D ... But once you learn the power rule, you will be able to differentiate that in 5 seconds.

14. baldymcgee6

|dw:1351143586995:dw|

15. anonymous

Okay, because the text explains that in this chapter but I don't understand it

16. baldymcgee6

oh.. well then maybe you want to learn it?? because this method will take ALOT longer and is ALOT more work.. :0 Power rule is pretty simple to grasp... want me to explain?

17. anonymous

18. baldymcgee6

ok :)

19. baldymcgee6

|dw:1351143786848:dw|

20. anonymous

Is the d/dx the same as f'(x)?

21. baldymcgee6

very good question, there is a little bit of history to this... basically two guys were inventing calculus near the same time, so lots of different notations came about. These all mean the same thing: |dw:1351144085607:dw|

22. anonymous

Oh okay! It just looks more complicated haha

23. baldymcgee6

Back to our question... |dw:1351144249816:dw|

24. baldymcgee6

It does look more intimidating, but you will get used to it :)

25. anonymous

So basically you have to memorize these rules?

26. baldymcgee6

haha, you will have to yes... But it will become second nature. For this rule, just drop the exponent and minus one.

27. anonymous

You explained it much better than the 2 paragraphs of math jargon my text has! :D

28. baldymcgee6

|dw:1351144716613:dw|

29. anonymous

I got -7/5 not -3/5...

30. baldymcgee6

Sorry.. i'm tired.. and you're right. :)

31. baldymcgee6

|dw:1351145072249:dw|

32. anonymous

Okay... Thanks for all your help @baldymcgee6 ! I appreciate it greatly!! :D

33. anonymous

After all, not everyone takes the time to explain the concept!