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Mathematics 18 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

Hi all! I have a question "Take the derivative of a^3 +cosx^3"

OpenStudy (anonymous):

I think you use the chain rule

OpenStudy (anonymous):

So I came up with 3(a)^2 (1)+3(cosx)(-sinx)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

I am a little rusty but I think it might be 3a^2 + -3x^2 sin x^3

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Hmm did you use the chain rule?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

is it 3x^2 or 3a^2? because it would be a whole different equation then

OpenStudy (anonymous):

a to the power of 3 plus cos power 3 x

OpenStudy (anonymous):

OpenStudy (anonymous):

uhm in that case I think a^3 is just 3a^2 then

OpenStudy (anonymous):

and cosx?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

actually a^3 = 0

OpenStudy (anonymous):

the derivative of a^3 is = 0 because a is a constant

OpenStudy (anonymous):

therefore you just need to use the chain rule on costx^3

OpenStudy (anonymous):

cosx^3*

OpenStudy (anonymous):

it will end being -sin(x)3cos^2(x)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

hmm so a is constant, which is why the derivative/slope is 0?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

ok just checked back over my answer that' what I got now

OpenStudy (anonymous):

3(a)^2(0)+3(cosx)^2 (-sinx)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

yes

OpenStudy (anonymous):

cool, thanks :)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

no problem

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