Derivative with Absolute Value

In summary, my attempts to solve the homework equation didn't account for the absolute value of the function and I had to approach it differently using the chain rule.
  • #1
science.girl
103
0

Homework Statement


Find f'(x), if

f(x) = [x^2 * (3x + 2)^(1/3)] / [(2x - 3)3]

Where the absolute value symbol surrounds the entire function.

Homework Equations


N/A

The Attempt at a Solution


My attempts don't account for the absolute value of the function. Otherwise, I can still take the derivative using quotient rule, product rule, and chain rule. Must I approach things differently because of the absolute value symbols? If so, how?
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
Is this your function?
[tex]\frac{|x^2(3x + 2)^{1/3}|}{(2x - 3)^3}[/tex]

If so, you can simplify it a bit to this:
[tex]\frac{x^2|(3x + 2)^{1/3}|}{(2x - 3)^3}[/tex]

You will need to take into account the absolute values of the factor in the numerator and the one in the denominator. One way to do this is to look at your function on three different intervals: -infinity < x <-2/3, -2/3 < x < 3/2, and 3/2 < x < infinity.
Each of these intervals gives a different version of your function if you remove the absolute values, so each will give you a different version of the derivative.
 
  • #3
science.girl said:

Homework Statement


Find f'(x), if

f(x) = [x^2 * (3x + 2)^(1/3)] / [(2x - 3)3]
?


\frac{x^2}{(-3+2 x)^3 (2+3 x)^{2/3}}-\frac{6 x^2 (2+3 x)^{1/3}}{(-3+2 x)^4}+\frac{2 x (2+3 x)^{1/3}}{(-3+2 x)^3}

x^2/((-3 + 2 x)^3 (2 + 3 x)^(2/3)) - (
6 x^2 (2 + 3 x)^(1/3))/(-3 + 2 x)^4 + (
2 x (2 + 3 x)^(1/3))/(-3 + 2 x)^3

science.girl said:

Homework Equations


N/A

?

science.girl said:

The Attempt at a Solution


My attempts don't account for the absolute value of the function. Otherwise, I can still take the derivative using quotient rule, product rule, and chain rule. Must I approach things differently because of the absolute value symbols? If so, how?
 
  • #4
You can also use the chain rule knowing that |x| = √(x2)
 
  • #5
Ok; I think I understand how to approach this now. I'll get more help from my instructor to be sure. (I completed the assignment before, but wanted to understand for the final.)

So, thanks!
 

FAQ: Derivative with Absolute Value

What is the derivative of |x|?

The derivative of |x| is undefined at x = 0, and is equal to 1 when x > 0 and -1 when x < 0.

How do you find the derivative of a function with an absolute value?

To find the derivative of a function with an absolute value, you can use the definition of the derivative and consider the function separately for positive and negative values of x. For x > 0, the derivative is equal to 1, and for x < 0, the derivative is equal to -1.

Can we use the power rule to find the derivative of |x|?

No, the power rule cannot be used to find the derivative of |x| because the function is not differentiable at x = 0.

What is the graph of the derivative of |x|?

The graph of the derivative of |x| is a step function with a jump discontinuity at x = 0. It has a value of 1 for x > 0 and a value of -1 for x < 0.

Why is the derivative of |x| undefined at x = 0?

The derivative of |x| is undefined at x = 0 because the function is not differentiable at this point. This is because the graph of |x| has a sharp point at x = 0, and the derivative cannot be defined at a sharp point.

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