Find \(f'(x)\) for each function. State the domain of each derivative.
a) \(f(x)=\frac{6}{x}+4x^5-3\sin x\)
b) \(f(x)=10\sqrt{x}-\frac{1}{2}\cos x+12\)
c) \(f(x)=k\sin x+\frac{2}{x}\), where \(k\in\mathbb{R}\) is constant.
Hints
- Rewrite reciprocals and square roots as powers.
- Differentiate each term separately.
- Treat \(k\) as a constant.
- Check where the original expressions and their derivatives are defined.
Solution
1. Differentiate each term in part a:
\(\frac{d}{dx}(6x^{-1})=-6x^{-2}\), \(\frac{d}{dx}(4x^5)=20x^4\), and \(\frac{d}{dx}(-3\sin x)=-3\cos x\).
Thus,
\(f'(x)=-\frac{6}{x^2}+20x^4-3\cos x\), for \(x\ne0\).
2. For part b,
\(\frac{d}{dx}(10x^{1/2})=5x^{-1/2}=\frac{5}{\sqrt{x}}\),
\(\frac{d}{dx}\left(-\frac{1}{2}\cos x\right)=\frac{1}{2}\sin x\),
and the derivative of \(12\) is \(0\). Therefore,
\(f'(x)=\frac{5}{\sqrt{x}}+\frac{1}{2}\sin x\), for \(x>0\).
3. In part c, treat \(k\) as a constant:
\(f'(x)=k\cos x-\frac{2}{x^2}\), for \(x\ne0\).
Answer
a) \(f'(x)=-\frac{6}{x^2}+20x^4-3\cos x\), for \(x\ne0\)
b) \(f'(x)=\frac{5}{\sqrt{x}}+\frac{1}{2}\sin x\), for \(x>0\)
c) \(f'(x)=k\cos x-\frac{2}{x^2}\), for \(x\ne0\)