Question

what is the derivative of the square root of x?

Answer 1

Recall that \(\sqrt{x}= x^{1/2}\) and use the power rule.

\[\frac{d}{dx} x^a = ax^{a-1}\]

Answer 2

so would that be (1/2)x^-(1/2) ?

Answer 3

Correct. Or written another way:\[\frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}}\]