Calculus Examples

$w = {(x + 4)}^{3} {(x - 4)}^{- 3}$

Step 1

Differentiate both sides of the equation.

$\frac{d}{d x} (w) = \frac{d}{d x} ({(x + 4)}^{3} {(x - 4)}^{- 3})$

Step 2

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

$w'$

Step 3

Differentiate the right side of the equation.

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Step 3.1

Differentiate using the Product Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [f (x) g (x)]$ is $f (x) \frac{d}{d x} [g (x)] + g (x) \frac{d}{d x} [f (x)]$ where $f (x) = {(x + 4)}^{3}$ and $g (x) = {(x - 4)}^{- 3}$ .

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

Step 3.2

Differentiate using the chain rule, which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [f (g (x))]$ is $f' (g (x)) g' (x)$ where $f (x) = x^{- 3}$ and $g (x) = x - 4$ .

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Step 3.2.1

To apply the Chain Rule, set $u_{1}$ as $x - 4$ .

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

Step 3.2.2

Differentiate using the Power Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d u_{1}} [{u_{1}}^{n}]$ is $n {u_{1}}^{n - 1}$ where $n = - 3$ .

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

Step 3.2.3

Replace all occurrences of $u_{1}$ with $x - 4$ .

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

Step 3.3

Differentiate.

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Step 3.3.1

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

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

Step 3.3.2

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

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

Step 3.3.3

Since $- 4$ is constant with respect to $x$ , the derivative of $- 4$ with respect to $x$ is $0$ .

${(x + 4)}^{3} (- 3 {(x - 4)}^{- 4} (1 + 0)) + {(x - 4)}^{- 3} \frac{d}{d x} [{(x + 4)}^{3}]$

Step 3.3.4

Simplify the expression.

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Step 3.3.4.1

Add $1$ and $0$ .

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

Step 3.3.4.2

Multiply $- 3$ by $1$ .

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

Step 3.4

Differentiate using the chain rule, which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [f (g (x))]$ is $f' (g (x)) g' (x)$ where $f (x) = x^{3}$ and $g (x) = x + 4$ .

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Step 3.4.1

To apply the Chain Rule, set $u_{2}$ as $x + 4$ .

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

Step 3.4.2

Differentiate using the Power Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d u_{2}} [{u_{2}}^{n}]$ is $n {u_{2}}^{n - 1}$ where $n = 3$ .

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

Step 3.4.3

Replace all occurrences of $u_{2}$ with $x + 4$ .

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

Step 3.5

Differentiate.

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Step 3.5.1

Move $3$ to the left of ${(x - 4)}^{- 3}$ .

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

Step 3.5.2

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

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

Step 3.5.3

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

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

Step 3.5.4

Since $4$ is constant with respect to $x$ , the derivative of $4$ with respect to $x$ is $0$ .

${(x + 4)}^{3} (- 3 {(x - 4)}^{- 4}) + 3 {(x - 4)}^{- 3} {(x + 4)}^{2} (1 + 0)$

Step 3.5.5

Simplify the expression.

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Step 3.5.5.1

Add $1$ and $0$ .

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

Step 3.5.5.2

Multiply $3$ by $1$ .

${(x + 4)}^{3} (- 3 {(x - 4)}^{- 4}) + 3 {(x - 4)}^{- 3} {(x + 4)}^{2}$

Step 3.6

Simplify.

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Step 3.6.1

Rewrite the expression using the negative exponent rule $b^{- n} = \frac{1}{b^{n}}$ .

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

Step 3.6.2

Rewrite the expression using the negative exponent rule $b^{- n} = \frac{1}{b^{n}}$ .

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

Step 3.6.3

Combine terms.

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Step 3.6.3.1

Combine $- 3$ and $\frac{1}{{(x - 4)}^{4}}$ .

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

Step 3.6.3.2

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

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

Step 3.6.3.3

Combine ${(x + 4)}^{3}$ and $\frac{3}{{(x - 4)}^{4}}$ .

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

Step 3.6.3.4

Move $3$ to the left of ${(x + 4)}^{3}$ .

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

Step 3.6.3.5

Combine $3$ and $\frac{1}{{(x - 4)}^{3}}$ .

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

Step 3.6.3.6

Combine $\frac{3}{{(x - 4)}^{3}}$ and ${(x + 4)}^{2}$ .

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

Step 3.6.3.7

To write $\frac{3 {(x + 4)}^{2}}{{(x - 4)}^{3}}$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{x - 4}{x - 4}$ .

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

Step 3.6.3.8

Write each expression with a common denominator of ${(x - 4)}^{4}$ , by multiplying each by an appropriate factor of $1$ .

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Step 3.6.3.8.1

Multiply $\frac{3 {(x + 4)}^{2}}{{(x - 4)}^{3}}$ by $\frac{x - 4}{x - 4}$ .

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

Step 3.6.3.8.2

Multiply ${(x - 4)}^{3}$ by $x - 4$ by adding the exponents.

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Step 3.6.3.8.2.1

Multiply ${(x - 4)}^{3}$ by $x - 4$ .

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Step 3.6.3.8.2.1.1

Raise $x - 4$ to the power of $1$ .

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

Step 3.6.3.8.2.1.2

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

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

Step 3.6.3.8.2.2

Add $3$ and $1$ .

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

Step 3.6.3.9

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

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

Step 3.6.4

Simplify the numerator.

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Step 3.6.4.1

Factor $3 {(x + 4)}^{2}$ out of $- 3 {(x + 4)}^{3} + 3 {(x + 4)}^{2} (x - 4)$ .

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Step 3.6.4.1.1

Factor $3 {(x + 4)}^{2}$ out of $- 3 {(x + 4)}^{3}$ .

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

Step 3.6.4.1.2

Factor $3 {(x + 4)}^{2}$ out of $3 {(x + 4)}^{2} (- (x + 4)) + 3 {(x + 4)}^{2} (x - 4)$ .

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

Step 3.6.4.2

Apply the distributive property.

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

Step 3.6.4.3

Multiply $- 1$ by $4$ .

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

Step 3.6.4.4

Add $- x$ and $x$ .

$\frac{3 {(x + 4)}^{2} (0 - 4 - 4)}{{(x - 4)}^{4}}$

Step 3.6.4.5

Subtract $4$ from $0$ .

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

Step 3.6.4.6

Subtract $4$ from $- 4$ .

$\frac{3 {(x + 4)}^{2} \cdot - 8}{{(x - 4)}^{4}}$

Step 3.6.4.7

Multiply $- 8$ by $3$ .

$\frac{- 24 {(x + 4)}^{2}}{{(x - 4)}^{4}}$

Step 3.6.5

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$- \frac{24 {(x + 4)}^{2}}{{(x - 4)}^{4}}$

Step 4

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

$w' = - \frac{24 {(x + 4)}^{2}}{{(x - 4)}^{4}}$

Step 5

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

$\frac{d w}{d x} = - \frac{24 {(x + 4)}^{2}}{{(x - 4)}^{4}}$