Calculus Examples

$\sqrt{\frac{4}{x}} - \sqrt{3 x}$

Step 1

By the Sum Rule, the derivative of $\sqrt{\frac{4}{x}} - \sqrt{3 x}$ with respect to $x$ is $\frac{d}{d x} [\sqrt{\frac{4}{x}}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$ .

$\frac{d}{d x} [\sqrt{\frac{4}{x}}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2

Evaluate $\frac{d}{d x} [\sqrt{\frac{4}{x}}]$ .

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Step 2.1

Use $\sqrt[n]{a^{x}} = a^{\frac{x}{n}}$ to rewrite $\sqrt{\frac{4}{x}}$ as ${(\frac{4}{x})}^{\frac{1}{2}}$ .

$\frac{d}{d x} [{(\frac{4}{x})}^{\frac{1}{2}}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.2

Differentiate using the chain rule, which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [f (g (x))]$ is $f' (g (x)) g' (x)$ where $f (x) = x^{\frac{1}{2}}$ and $g (x) = \frac{4}{x}$ .

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Step 2.2.1

To apply the Chain Rule, set $u$ as $\frac{4}{x}$ .

$\frac{d}{d u} [u^{\frac{1}{2}}] \frac{d}{d x} [\frac{4}{x}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.2.2

Differentiate using the Power Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d u} [u^{n}]$ is $n u^{n - 1}$ where $n = \frac{1}{2}$ .

$\frac{1}{2} u^{\frac{1}{2} - 1} \frac{d}{d x} [\frac{4}{x}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.2.3

Replace all occurrences of $u$ with $\frac{4}{x}$ .

$\frac{1}{2} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{\frac{1}{2} - 1} \frac{d}{d x} [\frac{4}{x}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.3

Since $4$ is constant with respect to $x$ , the derivative of $\frac{4}{x}$ with respect to $x$ is $4 \frac{d}{d x} [\frac{1}{x}]$ .

$\frac{1}{2} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{\frac{1}{2} - 1} (4 \frac{d}{d x} [\frac{1}{x}]) + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.4

Rewrite $\frac{1}{x}$ as $x^{- 1}$ .

$\frac{1}{2} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{\frac{1}{2} - 1} (4 \frac{d}{d x} [x^{- 1}]) + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.5

Differentiate using the Power Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [x^{n}]$ is $n x^{n - 1}$ where $n = - 1$ .

$\frac{1}{2} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{\frac{1}{2} - 1} (4 (- x^{- 2})) + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.6

To write $- 1$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{2}{2}$ .

$\frac{1}{2} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{\frac{1}{2} - 1 \cdot \frac{2}{2}} (4 (- x^{- 2})) + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.7

Combine $- 1$ and $\frac{2}{2}$ .

$\frac{1}{2} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{\frac{1}{2} + \frac{- 1 \cdot 2}{2}} (4 (- x^{- 2})) + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.8

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$\frac{1}{2} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{\frac{1 - 1 \cdot 2}{2}} (4 (- x^{- 2})) + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.9

Simplify the numerator.

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Step 2.9.1

Multiply $- 1$ by $2$ .

$\frac{1}{2} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{\frac{1 - 2}{2}} (4 (- x^{- 2})) + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.9.2

Subtract $2$ from $1$ .

$\frac{1}{2} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{\frac{- 1}{2}} (4 (- x^{- 2})) + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.10

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$\frac{1}{2} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} (4 (- x^{- 2})) + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.11

Multiply $- 1$ by $4$ .

$\frac{1}{2} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} (- 4 x^{- 2}) + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.12

Combine $- 4$ and $\frac{1}{2}$ .

$\frac{- 4}{2} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} x^{- 2} + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.13

Combine $x^{- 2}$ and $\frac{- 4}{2}$ .

$\frac{x^{- 2} \cdot - 4}{2} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.14

Move $- 4$ to the left of $x^{- 2}$ .

$\frac{- 4 \cdot x^{- 2}}{2} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.15

Move $x^{- 2}$ to the denominator using the negative exponent rule $b^{- n} = \frac{1}{b^{n}}$ .

$\frac{- 4}{2 x^{2}} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.16

Cancel the common factor of $- 4$ and $2$ .

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Step 2.16.1

Factor $2$ out of $- 4$ .

$\frac{2 \cdot - 2}{2 x^{2}} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.16.2

Cancel the common factors.

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Step 2.16.2.1

Factor $2$ out of $2 x^{2}$ .

$\frac{2 \cdot - 2}{2 (x^{2})} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.16.2.2

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{2 \cdot - 2}{2 x^{2}} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.16.2.3

Rewrite the expression.

$\frac{- 2}{x^{2}} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 2.17

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} + \frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$

Step 3

Evaluate $\frac{d}{d x} [- \sqrt{3 x}]$ .

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Step 3.1

Use $\sqrt[n]{a^{x}} = a^{\frac{x}{n}}$ to rewrite $\sqrt{3 x}$ as ${(3 x)}^{\frac{1}{2}}$ .

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} + \frac{d}{d x} [- {(3 x)}^{\frac{1}{2}}]$

Step 3.2

Factor $3$ out of $3 x$ .

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} + \frac{d}{d x} [- {(3 (x))}^{\frac{1}{2}}]$

Step 3.3

Apply the product rule to $3 (x)$ .

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} + \frac{d}{d x} [- (3^{\frac{1}{2}} x^{\frac{1}{2}})]$

Step 3.4

Since $- 3^{\frac{1}{2}}$ is constant with respect to $x$ , the derivative of $- 3^{\frac{1}{2}} x^{\frac{1}{2}}$ with respect to $x$ is $- 3^{\frac{1}{2}} \frac{d}{d x} [x^{\frac{1}{2}}]$ .

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} - 3^{\frac{1}{2}} \frac{d}{d x} [x^{\frac{1}{2}}]$

Step 3.5

Differentiate using the Power Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [x^{n}]$ is $n x^{n - 1}$ where $n = \frac{1}{2}$ .

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} - 3^{\frac{1}{2}} (\frac{1}{2} x^{\frac{1}{2} - 1})$

Step 3.6

To write $- 1$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{2}{2}$ .

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} - 3^{\frac{1}{2}} (\frac{1}{2} x^{\frac{1}{2} - 1 \cdot \frac{2}{2}})$

Step 3.7

Combine $- 1$ and $\frac{2}{2}$ .

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} - 3^{\frac{1}{2}} (\frac{1}{2} x^{\frac{1}{2} + \frac{- 1 \cdot 2}{2}})$

Step 3.8

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} - 3^{\frac{1}{2}} (\frac{1}{2} x^{\frac{1 - 1 \cdot 2}{2}})$

Step 3.9

Simplify the numerator.

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Step 3.9.1

Multiply $- 1$ by $2$ .

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} - 3^{\frac{1}{2}} (\frac{1}{2} x^{\frac{1 - 2}{2}})$

Step 3.9.2

Subtract $2$ from $1$ .

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} - 3^{\frac{1}{2}} (\frac{1}{2} x^{\frac{- 1}{2}})$

Step 3.10

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} - 3^{\frac{1}{2}} (\frac{1}{2} x^{- \frac{1}{2}})$

Step 3.11

Combine $\frac{1}{2}$ and $x^{- \frac{1}{2}}$ .

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} - 3^{\frac{1}{2}} \frac{x^{- \frac{1}{2}}}{2}$

Step 3.12

Combine $\frac{x^{- \frac{1}{2}}}{2}$ and $3^{\frac{1}{2}}$ .

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} - \frac{x^{- \frac{1}{2}} \cdot 3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2}$

Step 3.13

Move $x^{- \frac{1}{2}}$ to the denominator using the negative exponent rule $b^{- n} = \frac{1}{b^{n}}$ .

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} {(\frac{4}{x})}^{- \frac{1}{2}} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$

Step 4

Simplify.

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Step 4.1

Change the sign of the exponent by rewriting the base as its reciprocal.

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} {(\frac{x}{4})}^{\frac{1}{2}} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$

Step 4.2

Apply the product rule to $\frac{x}{4}$ .

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} \cdot \frac{x^{\frac{1}{2}}}{4^{\frac{1}{2}}} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$

Step 4.3

Combine terms.

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Step 4.3.1

Rewrite $4$ as $2^{2}$ .

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} \cdot \frac{x^{\frac{1}{2}}}{{(2^{2})}^{\frac{1}{2}}} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$

Step 4.3.2

Apply the power rule and multiply exponents, ${(a^{m})}^{n} = a^{m n}$ .

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} \cdot \frac{x^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2^{2 (\frac{1}{2})}} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$

Step 4.3.3

Cancel the common factor of $2$ .

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Step 4.3.3.1

Cancel the common factor.

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} \cdot \frac{x^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2^{2 (\frac{1}{2})}} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$

Step 4.3.3.2

Rewrite the expression.

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} \cdot \frac{x^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2^{1}} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$

Step 4.3.4

Evaluate the exponent.

$- \frac{2}{x^{2}} \cdot \frac{x^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$

Step 4.3.5

Multiply $\frac{x^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2}$ by $\frac{2}{x^{2}}$ .

$- \frac{x^{\frac{1}{2}} \cdot 2}{2 x^{2}} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$

Step 4.3.6

Move $2$ to the left of $x^{\frac{1}{2}}$ .

$- \frac{2 \cdot x^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{2}} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$

Step 4.3.7

Move $x^{\frac{1}{2}}$ to the denominator using the negative exponent rule $b^{n} = \frac{1}{b^{- n}}$ .

$- \frac{2}{2 x^{2} x^{- \frac{1}{2}}} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$

Step 4.3.8

Multiply $x^{2}$ by $x^{- \frac{1}{2}}$ by adding the exponents.

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Step 4.3.8.1

Move $x^{- \frac{1}{2}}$ .

$- \frac{2}{2 (x^{- \frac{1}{2}} x^{2})} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$

Step 4.3.8.2

Use the power rule $a^{m} a^{n} = a^{m + n}$ to combine exponents.

$- \frac{2}{2 x^{- \frac{1}{2} + 2}} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$

Step 4.3.8.3

To write $2$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{2}{2}$ .

$- \frac{2}{2 x^{- \frac{1}{2} + 2 \cdot \frac{2}{2}}} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$

Step 4.3.8.4

Combine $2$ and $\frac{2}{2}$ .

$- \frac{2}{2 x^{- \frac{1}{2} + \frac{2 \cdot 2}{2}}} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$

Step 4.3.8.5

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$- \frac{2}{2 x^{\frac{- 1 + 2 \cdot 2}{2}}} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$

Step 4.3.8.6

Simplify the numerator.

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Step 4.3.8.6.1

Multiply $2$ by $2$ .

$- \frac{2}{2 x^{\frac{- 1 + 4}{2}}} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$

Step 4.3.8.6.2

Add $- 1$ and $4$ .

$- \frac{2}{2 x^{\frac{3}{2}}} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$

Step 4.3.9

Cancel the common factor.

$- \frac{2}{2 x^{\frac{3}{2}}} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$

Step 4.3.10

Rewrite the expression.

$- \frac{1}{x^{\frac{3}{2}}} - \frac{3^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$