Hi Mark:
We need more than the Power Rule because this ratio is not simply a power; it's a
ratio of different powers.
After rewriting the ratio as a product, one could use the
Product Rule. (The Power Rule will be used in
one part of the Product Rule.)
Let f(x) = x
Let g(x) = (x + 1)^(-1)
The product is f(x)*g(x)
The Product Rule for derivatives says that d/dx [f(x)*g(x)] is "the derivative of the first function times the second function PLUS the derivative of the second function times the first function".
d\dx [f(x)*g(x)] = d/dx f(x) * g(x) + d/dx g(x) * f(x)
The Power Rule applies when calculating d/dx g(x)
Can you work it all out?
Who told you this?
Cheers!