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Mathematics 14 Online
OpenStudy (abbles):

Derivative question

OpenStudy (abbles):

Find f'(a). f(x) = x^-2

OpenStudy (abbles):

Here is what I have so far: (x+h)^-2 - (x)^-2 all over h .....what now?

OpenStudy (agent0smith):

If you could do the other one, do this the same way.

OpenStudy (agent0smith):

Write them as fractions, common denoms, do math.

OpenStudy (abbles):

I got it down to: \[\frac{ 2x+h }{ x^2(x+h)^2 }\]

OpenStudy (abbles):

What should I do next?

OpenStudy (agent0smith):

Plug in h=0!

OpenStudy (agent0smith):

But i feel like you've made a minor mistake, the deriv. should be negative.

OpenStudy (abbles):

\[\frac{ 2 }{ x^3 }\] But negative?

OpenStudy (phi):

yes, it should be negative. \[ \lim_{h\rightarrow 0}\frac{1}{h}\left( \frac{1}{(x+h)^2}- \frac{1}{x^2} \right) \]

OpenStudy (phi):

\[ \lim_{h\rightarrow 0}\frac{1}{h} \left(\frac{x^2-(x+h)^2}{x^2(x+h)^2} \right) \]

OpenStudy (phi):

is that what you did ?

OpenStudy (marcelie):

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