Calculus Examples

$u = \frac{\sqrt{x}}{1 - x}$

Step 1

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

$u = \frac{x^{\frac{1}{2}}}{1 - x}$

Step 2

Differentiate both sides of the equation.

$\frac{d}{d x} (u) = \frac{d}{d x} (\frac{x^{\frac{1}{2}}}{1 - x})$

Step 3

The derivative of $u$ with respect to $x$ is $u'$ .

$u'$

Step 4

Differentiate the right side of the equation.

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Step 4.1

Differentiate using the Quotient Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [\frac{f (x)}{g (x)}]$ is $\frac{g (x) \frac{d}{d x} [f (x)] - f (x) \frac{d}{d x} [g (x)]}{{g (x)}^{2}}$ where $f (x) = x^{\frac{1}{2}}$ and $g (x) = 1 - x$ .

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

Step 4.2

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

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

Step 4.3

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

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

Step 4.4

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

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

Step 4.5

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

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

Step 4.6

Simplify the numerator.

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Step 4.6.1

Multiply $- 1$ by $2$ .

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

Step 4.6.2

Subtract $2$ from $1$ .

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

Step 4.7

Combine fractions.

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Step 4.7.1

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

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

Step 4.7.2

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

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

Step 4.7.3

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

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

Step 4.8

By the Sum Rule, the derivative of $1 - x$ with respect to $x$ is $\frac{d}{d x} [1] + \frac{d}{d x} [- x]$ .

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

Step 4.9

Since $1$ is constant with respect to $x$ , the derivative of $1$ with respect to $x$ is $0$ .

$\frac{(1 - x) \frac{1}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}} - x^{\frac{1}{2}} (0 + \frac{d}{d x} [- x])}{{(1 - x)}^{2}}$

Step 4.10

Add $0$ and $\frac{d}{d x} [- x]$ .

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

Step 4.11

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

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

Step 4.12

Multiply.

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Step 4.12.1

Multiply $- 1$ by $- 1$ .

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

Step 4.12.2

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

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

Step 4.13

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

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

Step 4.14

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

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

Step 4.15

Simplify.

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Step 4.15.1

Apply the distributive property.

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

Step 4.15.2

Simplify the numerator.

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Step 4.15.2.1

Simplify each term.

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Step 4.15.2.1.1

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

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

Step 4.15.2.1.2

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

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

Step 4.15.2.1.3

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

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

Step 4.15.2.1.4

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

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Step 4.15.2.1.4.1

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

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Step 4.15.2.1.4.1.1

Raise $x$ to the power of $1$ .

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

Step 4.15.2.1.4.1.2

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

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

Step 4.15.2.1.4.2

Write $1$ as a fraction with a common denominator.

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

Step 4.15.2.1.4.3

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

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

Step 4.15.2.1.4.4

Subtract $1$ from $2$ .

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

Step 4.15.2.2

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

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

Step 4.15.2.3

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

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

Step 4.15.2.4

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

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

Step 4.15.2.5

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

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Step 4.15.2.5.1

Reorder $x^{\frac{1}{2}}$ and $2$ .

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

Step 4.15.2.5.2

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

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

Step 4.15.3

Combine terms.

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Step 4.15.3.1

Multiply $\frac{\frac{1}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}} + \frac{x^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2}}{{(1 - x)}^{2}}$ by $\frac{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}}$ .

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

Step 4.15.3.2

Combine.

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

Step 4.15.3.3

Apply the distributive property.

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

Step 4.15.3.4

Cancel the common factor of $2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}$ .

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Step 4.15.3.4.1

Cancel the common factor.

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

Step 4.15.3.4.2

Rewrite the expression.

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

Step 4.15.3.5

Cancel the common factor of $2$ .

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Step 4.15.3.5.1

Factor $2$ out of $2 x^{\frac{1}{2}}$ .

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

Step 4.15.3.5.2

Cancel the common factor.

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

Step 4.15.3.5.3

Rewrite the expression.

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

Step 4.15.3.6

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

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Step 4.15.3.6.1

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

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

Step 4.15.3.6.2

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

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

Step 4.15.3.6.3

Add $1$ and $1$ .

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

Step 4.15.3.6.4

Divide $2$ by $2$ .

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

Step 4.15.3.7

Simplify $x^{1}$ .

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

Step 4.15.4

Reorder terms.

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

Step 5

Reform the equation by setting the left side equal to the right side.

$u' = \frac{x + 1}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}} {(1 - x)}^{2}}$

Step 6

Replace $u'$ with $\frac{d u}{d x}$ .

$\frac{d u}{d x} = \frac{x + 1}{2 x^{\frac{1}{2}} {(1 - x)}^{2}}$