derivative of x^2/a^2, the answer is 2x/a^2, but i can't figure out why

Question

anonymous · Answer

I get it to (2xa^2-2ax^2)/(a^2)^2, but i am thinking i am going about it wrong

hartnn · Answer

product or quotient rule not required here

parthkohli · Answer

Hmm yes, I get a different answer.

cwrw238 · Answer

right  1/a^2 is a constant

hartnn · Answer

a is constant while diff. w.r.t. x

parthkohli · Answer

Oh yup.

hartnn · Answer

so u can directly just find derivative of x^2

hartnn · Answer

which is?

parthkohli · Answer

attachment

anonymous · Answer

ah, i see now, 2x
so it goes to (2xa^2-0)/(a^2)^2 which then they cancel out to make 2x/a^2

hartnn · Answer

u cannot apply quotient rule here

zepdrix · Answer

Yah you can apply the quotient rule if you want to I suppose :) But it's really quite unnecessary.

hartnn · Answer

as a^2 is not the function of x

anonymous · Answer

oh ok, i see what you are saying now

hartnn · Answer

for quotient rule u need both num and denom as function of x

zepdrix · Answer

denom is a function of x to the 0th power. quotient rule should still work, as bretm demonstrated.

hartnn · Answer

here u just take out 1/a^2, diff. w.r.t x, x^2, u get 2x
so finally u have 2x/a^2

anonymous · Answer

Thank you

hartnn · Answer

welcome :)