Worksheet #5,

Question 6

42
=3
+3

(𝑥)
The function above can be expressed as the quotient of two functions 𝑓() = (𝑥)
, where () is

the numerator and () is the denominator.

In order to find the derivative of this function, we apply the quotient rule, which states that
𝑑 𝑑
𝑑 () ⋅ − () ⋅
(⁄ = 𝑑 𝑑
𝑑 ) () 2

Before we can differentiate the function, we first must differentiate the numerator and the

denominator, using the most suitable rule. In this case, that rule would be the power rule which

states that the derivative of a function 𝑓() = is

𝑓′() = 𝑛 ⋅ −1

DIFFERENTIATING THE NUMERATOR

Applying the power rule, we differentiate () = 42 as

𝑑
𝑑𝑥
= 4 ⋅ 2 ()2−1 which amounts to

𝑑
𝑑𝑥
=8
DIFFERENTIATING THE DENOMINATOR

Differentiating the denominator takes a slightly different approach, as we apply the rule that

states that the differential of a constant is 0.

3
Applying the power rule once again, we differentiate () = + 3 as

𝑑
𝑑𝑥
= 3 ⋅ 1()3−1 + 0 which amounts to

𝑑
=3 2
𝑑

GATHERING THE INFORMATION.

From the workings above, we have gathered the following information:

() = 42 () = 3
+3

𝑑 𝑑
=8 =3 2
𝑑 𝑑
𝑑 𝑑
𝑑 (𝑥) ⋅ − (𝑥) ⋅
Taking a look back at the quotient rule, 𝑑𝑥
( ⁄) = 𝑑𝑥
(𝑥)2
𝑑𝑥
,we can determine that we

have enough information to obtain an answer.

SOLVING THE PROBLEM

Substituting the information into the equation, we get:

𝑑 (3 + 3) ⋅ 8 − 42 ⋅ 32
=
𝑑 [3 + 3]2

Expanding the brackets, we get

 (8 ⋅ 3 + 8 ⋅ 3) − (42 ⋅ 32)
=
[3 + 3]2

Applying the law of indices that states × = +, we simplify the brackets to get

84 + 24 − 124
=
[3 + 3]2

Grouping the equation with like terms together, we get

84 − 124 + 24
=
[3 + 3]2

Simplifying the equation, we get

−44 + 24
=
[3 + 3]2