Chain rule

Maths and statistics discussion, revision, exam and homework help.

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  1. 0range's Avatar
    • Exalted and Worshipped Member
    Chain rule
    Differentiate w.r.t x
    (2+x)^3(2-x)^3

    i firstly made them into one
    so I got
    (4-x^2)^6

    did the chain rule the long way and got

    -12(4-x^2)^5
    but the answer when I checked on wolframalpha is

    -6x(x^2-4)^2

    I think I went wrong with the indices part but not sure why it was wrong :s
  2. claret_n_blue's Avatar
    • Exalted and Worshipped Member
    • Location: South East London
    • Posts: 1,337
    Re: Chain rule
    Do you mean:

     (2 + x)^3 \cdot (2 - x)^3 because it looks like:

     (2 + x)^{3(2 - x)^{3}}

    If it is, then simplifying will give you:

     ((2 + x) \cdot (2 - x))^3 = (4 - x^2)^3

    not to the power of 6.

    Remember:  (a\cdot b)^x = a^x \cdot b^x
  3. steve2005's Avatar
    • TSR Demigod
    • Location: LONDON
    Re: Chain rule
    (Original post by 0range)
    Differentiate w.r.t x
    (2+x)^3(2-x)^3

    i firstly made them into one
    so I got
    (4-x^2)^6
    It should be (4-x^2)^3
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