Is the chain rule necessary for finding the derivative of r/sqrt(r^2+1)?

In summary,The product rule is very effective when You have to evaluate an expression like... $\displaystyle \frac{d}{d x} \frac{f(x)}{g(x)} = \frac{f^{\ '}(x)}{g(x)} - \frac{f(x)\ g^{\ '}(x)}{g^{2}(x)}$ (1)
  • #1
Petrus
702
0
Hello,
I got problem again with chain rule and would like to have advice for this problem,

$\frac{\displaystyle r} {\displaystyle \sqrt{r^2+1}}$

is it product rule I shall also use because I have rewrite it as
$r(r^2+1)^{-0.5}$
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
Re: Derivate, chain rule

The product rule is very effective also when You have to evaluate an expression like...

$\displaystyle \frac{d}{d x} \frac{f(x)}{g(x)} = \frac{f^{\ '}(x)}{g(x)} - \frac{f(x)\ g^{\ '}(x)}{g^{2}(x)}$ (1) ... expecially, as in my case, memory isn't Your best quality...

Kind regards $\chi$ $\sigma$
 
  • #3
Re: Derivate, chain rule

Petrus said:
Hello,
I got problem again with chain rule and would like to have advice for this problem,

$\frac{\displaystyle r} {\displaystyle \sqrt{r^2+1}}$

is it product rule I shall also use because I have rewrite it as
$r(r^2+1)^{-0.5}$

Yes, what you have suggested is fine. Using the product rule:

\(\displaystyle \displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{d}{dr} \left[ r\left( r^2 + 1 \right)^{-\frac{1}{2}} \right] &= r\,\frac{d}{dr} \left[ \left( r^2 + 1 \right)^{-\frac{1}{2}} \right] + \left( r^2 + 1 \right)^{-\frac{1}{2}}\,\frac{d}{dr} \left( r \right) \end{align*}\)

Then to evaluate \(\displaystyle \displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{d}{dr}\left[ \left( r^2 + 1 \right)^{-\frac{1}{2}} \right] \end{align*}\) you will need to use the Chain Rule.
 
  • #4
Re: Derivate, chain rule

Prove It said:
Yes, what you have suggested is fine. Using the product rule:

\(\displaystyle \displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{d}{dr} \left[ r\left( r^2 + 1 \right)^{-\frac{1}{2}} \right] &= r\,\frac{d}{dr} \left[ \left( r^2 + 1 \right)^{-\frac{1}{2}} \right] + \left( r^2 + 1 \right)^{-\frac{1}{2}}\,\frac{d}{dr} \left( r \right) \end{align*}\)

Then to evaluate \(\displaystyle \displaystyle \begin{align*} \frac{d}{dr}\left[ \left( r^2 + 1 \right)^{-\frac{1}{2}} \right] \end{align*}\) you will need to use the Chain Rule.
Hello with your method is this correcT?
$(r^2+1)^{-0.5}-0.5r(r^2+1)^{-3/2}2r$
 
  • #5
Re: Derivate, chain rule

Petrus said:
Hello with your method is this correcT?
$(r^2+1)^{-0.5}-0.5r(r^2+1)^{-3/2}2r$

Yes, and now you will probably want to factor to write the derivative in a simpler, more compact form.
 
  • #6
Re: Derivate, chain rule

chisigma said:
The product rule is very effective also when You have to evaluate an expression like...

$\displaystyle \frac{d}{d x} \frac{f(x)}{g(x)} = \frac{f^{\ '}(x)}{g(x)} - \frac{f(x)\ g^{\ '}(x)}{g^{2}(x)}$ (1) ... expecially, as in my case, memory isn't Your best quality...

Kind regards $\chi$ $\sigma$
Hello Chisigma,
Is this correct?
$\frac{\sqrt{r^2+1}+0.5r(r^2+1)^{-3/2}2r}{r^2+1}$
 
  • #7
Re: Derivate, chain rule

MarkFL said:
Yes, and now you will probably want to factor to write the derivative in a simpler, more compact form.
Is this correct? I got problem to simplify
$(r^2+1)^{-0.5}(1-1^{4/3}r^2)$
 
  • #8
Re: Derivate, chain rule

Petrus said:
Is this correct? I got problem to simplify
$(r^2+1)^{-0.5}(1-1^{4/3}r^2)$

No, we have:

\(\displaystyle \frac{d}{dr}\left(\frac{r}{\sqrt{r^2+1}} \right)=(r^2+1)^{-\frac{1}{2}}-r\cdot\frac{1}{2}(r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}\cdot2r=(r^2+1)^{-\frac{1}{2}}-r^2(r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}\)

Factoring out \(\displaystyle (r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}\), we find:

\(\displaystyle \frac{d}{dr}\left(\frac{r}{\sqrt{r^2+1}} \right)=(r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}\left((r^2+1)-r^2 \right)=(r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}\)
 
  • #9
Re: Derivate, chain rule

MarkFL said:
No, we have:

\(\displaystyle \frac{d}{dr}\left(\frac{r}{\sqrt{r^2+1}} \right)=(r^2+1)^{-\frac{1}{2}}-r\cdot\frac{1}{2}(r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}\cdot2r=(r^2+1)^{-\frac{1}{2}}-r^2(r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}\)

Factoring out \(\displaystyle (r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}\), we find:

\(\displaystyle \frac{d}{dr}\left(\frac{r}{\sqrt{r^2+1}} \right)=(r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}\left((r^2+1)-r^2 \right)=(r^2+1)^{-\frac{3}{2}}\)
Thanks Mark!
I need to practice more on this!
 

FAQ: Is the chain rule necessary for finding the derivative of r/sqrt(r^2+1)?

What is the derivative of a composite function?

The derivative of a composite function is calculated using the chain rule. It states that the derivative of the outer function multiplied by the derivative of the inner function.

How do you apply the chain rule?

To apply the chain rule, you first identify the outer and inner functions. Then, you take the derivative of the outer function and multiply it by the derivative of the inner function. Finally, you substitute the inner function with its original expression.

Can the chain rule be used for any type of function?

Yes, the chain rule can be used for any type of function, including exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, and polynomial functions.

Why is the chain rule important in calculus?

The chain rule is important in calculus because it allows us to find the derivative of composite functions, which are commonly used in real-world applications. It also helps us solve more complex derivatives and understand the relationship between different functions.

Is there a shortcut to using the chain rule?

Yes, there is a shortcut to using the chain rule called the "power rule of differentiation." It states that for a function raised to a power, you can bring down the power in front and subtract 1 from the original power. However, this shortcut only applies to certain types of composite functions.

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