AP Calculus AB : Derivatives

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Calculus AB

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Example Questions

Example Question #225 : Computation Of The Derivative

Find f'(x) for the following f(x).

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since the function f(x) is a product of two functions, tan(x) and ln(x), use the product rule to take this derivative.

Recall the product rule where u and v are two separate functions:

Let's define u and v as follows:

Take the derivative of u and v:

Now that we've found values of u, u', v, and v' we can substitute them into the product formula for the final answer.

 

Example Question #226 : Computation Of The Derivative

Find f'(x) for the following f(x).

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since the function f(x) is a product of two functions, pi*e^x and ln(x), use the product rule to take this derivative.

Recall the product rule where u and v are two separate functions:

Let's define u and v as follows:

Take the derivative of u and v:

Now that we've found values of u, u', v, and v' we can substitute them into the product formula for the final answer.

Factor out the pi*e^x term to get the answer into final form.

 

Example Question #221 : Computation Of The Derivative

Find f'(x) for the following f(x).

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The function f(x) is a sum of two functions, -cos(x) and x^6*sin(x). When functions are added together, treat each one separately to take it's derivative. First take the derivative of -cos(x):

The second part of the function, x^6*sin(x) is a product of two functions so use the product rule to take the derivative. Recall the product rule where u and v are two separate functions:

Let's define u and v as follows:

Take the derivative of u and v:

Now that we've found values of u, u', v, and v' substitute them into the product rule formula.

For the final answer add (uv)' to the derivative of -cos(x).

Simplify into final form by factoring out sin(x):

 

Example Question #228 : Computation Of The Derivative

Find f'(x) for the following f(x).

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since the function f(x) is a product of two functions, 4^x and cot(x), use the product rule to take this derivative.

Recall the product rule where u and v are two separate functions:

Let's define u and v as follows:

Take the derivative of u and v:

Now that we've found values of u, u', v, and v' we can substitute them into the product formula for the final answer.

 

Example Question #229 : Computation Of The Derivative

Find f'(x) for the following f(x).

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since the function f(x) is a quotient of two separate functions, tan(x) and e^x, use the quotient rule to take the derivative.

Recall the quotient rule for two functions u and v:

Let's define u and v for this function as follows:

Take the derivative of u and v:

Now that we've defined u, u', v, and v' we can substitute them into the quotient rule formula.

Divide the numerator and denominator by e^x for the answer in its final form.

Example Question #230 : Computation Of The Derivative

Find f'(x) for the following f(x).

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since the function f(x) is a quotient of two separate functions, x^4 and x^3+1, use the quotient rule to take the derivative.

Recall the quotient rule for two functions u and v:

Let's define u and v for this function as follows:

Take the derivative of u and v:

Now that we've defined u, u', v, and v' we can substitute them into the quotient rule formula.

Distribute the 4x^3 and simplify for the final answer.

Example Question #21 : Derivative Rules For Sums, Products, And Quotients Of Functions

Find f'(x) for the following f(x).

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since the function f(x) is a quotient of two separate functions, 10^x and cos(x), use the quotient rule to take the derivative.

Recall the quotient rule for two functions u and v:

Let's define u and v for this function as follows:

Take the derivative of u and v:

Now that we've defined u, u', v, and v' we can substitute them into the quotient rule formula for the final answer.

 

Example Question #22 : Derivative Rules For Sums, Products, And Quotients Of Functions

Find f'(x) for the following f(x).

Possible Answers:

e

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The function f(x) is a sum of two functions, 3x^7 and -x^10*sin(x). When functions are added together, take the derivative of each one separately. First take the derivative of 3x^7:

The second part of the function, -x^10*sin(x) is a product of two functions so use the product rule to take the derivative. Recall the product rule where u and v are two separate functions:

Let's define u and v as follows:

Take the derivative of u and v:

Now that we've found values of u, u', v, and v' substitute them into the product rule formula.

For the final answer add (uv)' to the derivative of 3x^7.

 

Example Question #23 : Derivative Rules For Sums, Products, And Quotients Of Functions

Find f'(x) for the following f(x).

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since the function f(x) is a quotient of two separate functions, cos(x) and x^2+1, use the quotient rule to take the derivative.

Recall the quotient rule for two functions u and v:

Let's define u and v for this function as follows:

Take the derivative of u and v:

Now that we've defined u, u', v, and v' we can substitute them into the quotient rule formula for the final answer.

 

Example Question #31 : Derivative Rules For Sums, Products, And Quotients Of Functions

Find f'(x) for the following f(x).

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Since the function f(x) is a quotient of two separate functions, sin(x) + cos(x) and e^x, use the quotient rule to take the derivative.

Recall the quotient rule for two functions u and v:

Let's define u and v for this function as follows:

Take the derivative of u and v:

Now that we've defined u, u', v, and v' we can substitute them into the quotient rule formula.

Factor out e^x from to the top and bottom and simplify into the final form:

 

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