Question

What is the dy/dx of 1/x ?

Answer 1

use the standard formula for x^n
1/x = x^(-1)

Answer 2

\[1/x= x^{-1}\]
\[dy/dx x^{-1}=-x^{-2}\]
Bring down the exponent and then subtract one from it :)

Answer 3

So according to yyou this is wrong? http://screencast.com/t/C1ovmjAgq7b

Answer 4

ofcourse its correct,
you got the result -1/x^2, correct.
just the method used is different

Answer 5

Don't forget that a negative (-) exponent can be removed, and the term flipped. They said
\[-1/x^{2}\]which equals my answer of
\[-x^{−2}\]

Raising something to a negative exponent basically just flips it :) And @hartnn is right as well, they did it with the limit definition of a derivative, rather than shortcuts

Answer 6

I see!! Thanks a lot !!