What is the second derivative of f(x) = x√(5-x)?

In summary: Thanks for pointing it out!In summary, the second derivative of the function is:
  • #1
frosty8688
126
0
1. Find the second derivative of the following function
2. [itex] f(x) = x\sqrt{5-x}, f'(x) = \frac{10-3x}{2\sqrt{5-x}}[/itex]
3. [itex] f"(x)=\frac{-3*2\sqrt{5-x}-(10-3x)(2\sqrt{5-x})*-x}{(2\sqrt{5-x})^{2}} [/itex] Here is where I get lost.
 
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  • #2
[itex] f"(x)=\frac{-3*2\sqrt{5-x}-(10-3x)(2\sqrt{5-x})*-x}{(2\sqrt{5-x})^{2}} [/itex] Here is where I get lost. [/b][/QUOTE]

There is a slight error in this step. When you differentiated the denominator in the second term, you have not subtracted 1 from the 1/2 power. This is what I got:

[tex] \frac{-3(2\sqrt{5-x})-(10-3x)(2)\frac{1}{2}(5-x)^{-1/2}(-1)}{(2\sqrt{5-x})^2} [/tex]
 
  • #3
frosty8688 said:
1. Find the second derivative of the following function



2. [itex] f(x) = x\sqrt{5-x}, f'(x) = \frac{10-3x}{2\sqrt{5-x}}[/itex]



3. [itex] f"(x)=\frac{-3*2\sqrt{5-x}-(10-3x)(2\sqrt{5-x})*-x}{(2\sqrt{5-x})^{2}} [/itex] Here is where I get lost.

Also, it's probably simpler to write f'(x) as a product rather than a quotient, and write the radical in exponent form. That way you can use the product rule to get f''(x). I almost always prefer to use the product rule over the quotient rule, because the latter is a bit more complicated, making it easier to make mistakes.

f'(x) = (1/2)(10 - 3x)(5 - x)-1/2
 
  • #4
I know a lot of sites have this as the first derivative [itex] \sqrt{5-x}(1-\frac{x}{2(5-x)})[/itex] I am wondering what happens to the square root on the bottom? I am just wondering what is easier to work with for the second derivative.
 
  • #5
Using the product rule, I have [itex] \frac{1}{2} (10-3x)*\frac{-1}{2}(5-x)^{-3/2}*-1-3(5-x) = \frac{1}{4}\frac{10-3x-15+3x}{(5-x)^{3/2}} [/itex] Let me know if I did anything wrong.
 
  • #6
I see what I did wrong, I forgot to multiply 1/2 all the way through.
 

FAQ: What is the second derivative of f(x) = x√(5-x)?

What is the definition of the second derivative?

The second derivative is the rate of change of the rate of change of a function. It is the derivative of the derivative of a function.

Why is finding the second derivative important?

Finding the second derivative allows us to analyze the concavity and inflection points of a function. It also helps us to find the maximum and minimum values of a function.

What is the notation used for the second derivative?

The notation used for the second derivative is f''(x) or d2y/dx2. It represents the second derivative of the function f(x).

How do you find the second derivative using the power rule?

To find the second derivative using the power rule, you first take the derivative of the function using the power rule. Then, you take the derivative of the resulting function again using the power rule.

Can the second derivative be negative?

Yes, the second derivative can be negative. A negative second derivative indicates that the function is concave down and has a maximum value.

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