Question

What is the derivative of:

(secu)^(n-2)?

Is it (n-2)(secu)^(n-3) tanu?

Answer 1

n is an integer

Answer 2

hi. oh, ok

Answer 3

what about u?

Answer 4

just a variable

Answer 5

not a function of x?

Answer 6

ok, u is not a function of x, then i think you are gonna want to check the exponent of sec u

Answer 7

still there?

Answer 8

yeah

Answer 9

i got it

Answer 10

in case you get this, everything looks ok except the exponent on sec u. the n-2 out front is good, the sec^(n-3) times the sec u tan u (chain rule) is what is affecting the exponent

Answer 11

do you see what the exponent is now for sec u?

Answer 12

it's n-3 no?

Answer 13

the n-2 in front is correct. you also have product of secu^(n-3) and then there is the chain rule that multiplies by secutanu. so, it is not n-3

Answer 14

do you see what i am trying to point out?
feel free to ask any questions

Answer 15

are you still having difficulty?

Answer 16

oh pellet

Answer 17

you are correct

Answer 18

it would still be sec^(n-2)

Answer 19

niiice

Answer 20

(n-2)(secu)^(n-3) times secutanu which equals (n-2)(secu)^(n-2) times tanu

Answer 21

very cool
you got it

Answer 22

now i have to rewrite this wholeeeeeeeeeee thing......... thanks

Answer 23

dontcha just hate the whole rewriting thing? If there is nothing else i can help with, i will bid you adieu

Answer 24

take care