Question

Can somebody show me the steps needed to work out the derivative of...

Answer 1

\[g(a) = \frac{ \sqrt{a} }{ 2 } + \frac{ 6 }{ a ^{2} }\]

Answer 2

its just power rules

Answer 3

or does this need to be done with first principles?

Answer 4

The original question doesn't specify so I guess I'll just use power rules... Thanks!

Answer 5

sqrt(a) = a^(1/2) and the other is just a^(-2)

constants can be pulled out so they are of no consequence really

Answer 6

So just to check, what would the final answer be?

Answer 7

I got \[g'(a) = \frac{ 1 }{ 4\sqrt{a} } - \frac{ 12 }{ a ^{3} }\] and I'm not sure if it's right or not...

Answer 8

Correct! :)

Answer 9

@zepdrix Thank you very much! :D