Differentiation. Need guidance

Henrik

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Dec 5, 2012
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Given that y=√√(1+√x)-1

show that dy/dx= 1/(8√x(1+√x)(1+√x)-1)


Can somebody explain how to do it step by step? I cant figure out where to start.

Thanks for the help people!
 
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Given that y=√√(1+√x)-1

show that dy/dx= 1/(8√x(1+√x)(1+√x)-1)


Can somebody explain how to do it step by step? I cant figure out where to start.

First substitute

u = 1 + √x

then apply chain rule and continue...

You need to read the rules of this forum. Please read the post titled "Read before Posting" at the following URL:

http://www.freemathhelp.com/forum/th...217#post322217

We can help - we only help after you have shown your work - or ask a specific question (not a statement like "Don't know any of these")

Please share your work with us indicating exactly where you are stuck - so that we may know where to begin to help you.
 
Given that y=√√(1+√x)-1

show that dy/dx= 1/(8√x(1+√x)(1+√x)-1)


Can somebody explain how to do it step by step? I cant figure out where to start.
Square root of square root? Is that how it was given or was the problem 4√?

In anycase, the simplest way to do this to write it as \(\displaystyle (1+ x^{1/2})^{1/4}- 1\).

Do you know how to differentiatate \(\displaystyle x^n\)? Do you know the chain rule?
 
Given that y=√√(1+√x)-1

show that dy/dx= 1/(8√x(1+√x)(1+√x)-1)


Can somebody explain how to do it step by step? I cant figure out where to start.
In addition to seeing your work, I need some clarification on order of operations. When typing inline, it is often necessary to use additional parentheses to avoid ambiguity. Is it

y = √[√(1 + √x) - 1] ?
 
First substitute

u = 1 + √x

then apply chain rule and continue...

You need to read the rules of this forum. Please read the post titled "Read before Posting" at the following URL:

http://www.freemathhelp.com/forum/th...217#post322217

We can help - we only help after you have shown your work - or ask a specific question (not a statement like "Don't know any of these")

Please share your work with us indicating exactly where you are stuck - so that we may know where to begin to help you.

What I have done:

y=(1+x^1/2)^1/2

u=1+x^1/2 y=u^1/2

u'=(x^-1/2)/2 y=(u^1/2)/2

y=((1+x^1/2)^-1/2)x^-1/2)


y=((done above^)-1)^1/2

y'=(u^-1/2)/2

I know this is wrong and the problem is the order I think. I have no clue to where i should derive first and yes I am familiar with the chain rule.
 
In addition to seeing your work, I need some clarification on order of operations. When typing inline, it is often necessary to use additional parentheses to avoid ambiguity. Is it

y = √[√(1 + √x) - 1] ?
Yes.

And yes i am familiar with the chain rule. The problem here is that the paranthesis is confusing me. i have broken down the expression to this:

[(1+x^1/2)^1/2-1]^1/2

And tried to apply the chain rule by beginning with the inner bracket first and then the rest which was wrong.
 
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y = √[√(1+√x)-1]

u = √(1+√x)

du/dx = 1/2 * 1/√(1+√x) * 1/2 * 1/√x = 1/[4*√{x(1+√x)}]

y = √(u-1)

dy/du = 1/[2*√(u-1)]

dy/dx = dy/du * du/dx

continue.....
 
There is no need to limit the chain rule to two links. You can use substitutions and the chain rule as extensively as you want to simplify a problem. Personally, I like to make the substitutions and steps explicit because it helps me avoid mistakes.

\(\displaystyle [\alpha]\ y = \sqrt{\sqrt{1 +\sqrt{x}} - 1}.\)

\(\displaystyle [\beta]\ Let\ u = \sqrt{1 + \sqrt{x}} - 1 \implies y = \sqrt{u} = u ^{(1/2)} \implies \dfrac{dy}{du} = \dfrac{1}{2} * u^{-(1/2)} = \dfrac{1}{2\sqrt{u}}.\) Hard to make a mistake there.

\(\displaystyle [\gamma]\ Let\ v = 1 + \sqrt{x} \implies u = \sqrt{v} - 1 \implies \dfrac{du}{dv} = \dfrac{1}{2\sqrt{v}} - 0 = \dfrac{1}{2\sqrt{v}}.\) Again, very easy.

\(\displaystyle [\delta]\ And\ v = 1 + \sqrt{x} \implies \dfrac{dv}{dx} = \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{x}}.\) Not a problem in the world to do.

Now apply the chain rule:

\(\displaystyle [\epsilon]\ \dfrac{dy}{dx} = \dfrac{dy}{du} * \dfrac{du}{dv} * \dfrac{dv}{dx} = \dfrac{1}{2\sqrt{u}} * \dfrac{1}{2\sqrt{v}} * \dfrac{1}{2\sqrt{x}} = \dfrac{1}{8\sqrt{u} * \sqrt{v} * \sqrt{x}} = \dfrac{1}{8\sqrt{uvx}}.\) Again, super simple. Hard to make a mistake.

Now, using gamma, delta, and epsilon, reverse the substitutions.

\(\displaystyle \dfrac{dy}{dx} = \dfrac{1}{8\sqrt{uvx}} = \dfrac{1}{8\sqrt{x(1+ \sqrt{x})(\sqrt{v} - 1)}} = \dfrac{1}{8\sqrt{x(1 + \sqrt{x})(\sqrt{1 + x} - 1)}}.\) Not hard at all.

No step in this method of explicit substitution and chain rule is hard, but the method is lengthy and looks inelegant. As I said, it removes the mystery and prevents errors.
 
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