Question Statement
Differentiate the following function with respect to x:
y=x2β1βx2+1ββ
Background and Explanation
This question involves differentiating a fraction of two square root functions. To solve it, we use:
- Quotient Rule: For derivatives of fractions.
- Chain Rule: To handle the square root functions.
Key Rules:
- Chain Rule:
If f(x)=g(x)β, then:
dxdβg(x)β=2g(x)β1ββ
dxdg(x)β
- Quotient Rule:
If f(x)=vuβ, then:
dxdβ(vuβ)=v2vβ
dxduββuβ
dxdvββ
Solution
Step 1: Rewrite the function
Let:
y=x2β1βx2+1ββ
Here:
- u=x2+1β
- v=x2β1β
Step 2: Differentiate using the Quotient Rule
Using the quotient rule:
dxdyβ=v2vβ
dxduββuβ
dxdvββ
Step 2.1: Differentiate u=x2+1β
Using the chain rule:
dxduβ=2x2+1β1ββ
dxdβ(x2+1)=2x2+1β1ββ
2x=x2+1βxβ
Step 2.2: Differentiate v=x2β1β
Using the chain rule:
dxdvβ=2x2β1β1ββ
dxdβ(x2β1)=2x2β1β1ββ
2x=x2β1βxβ
Step 3: Substitute into the Quotient Rule
Now substitute back:
dxdyβ=(x2β1β)2x2β1ββ
x2+1βxββx2+1ββ
x2β1βxββ
Step 4: Simplify the numerator
Simplify the terms in the numerator:
-
Combine the fractions:
x2+1βxx2β1βββx2β1βxx2+1ββ
-
Write as a single fraction:
=x2+1ββ
x2β1βx(x2β1β)2βx(x2+1β)2β
-
Expand the squares:
=x2+1ββ
x2β1βx(x2β1)βx(x2+1)β
-
Simplify:
=x2+1ββ
x2β1βx3βxβx3βxβ
=x2+1ββ
x2β1ββ2xβ
Step 5: Simplify the denominator
The denominator of the quotient rule simplifies to:
(x2β1β)2=x2β1
Thus, the derivative becomes:
dxdyβ=(x2β1)3/2β2xβ
- Quotient Rule:
dxdβ(vuβ)=v2vβ
dxduββuβ
dxdvββ
- Chain Rule for Square Roots:
dxdβg(x)β=2g(x)β1ββ
dxdg(x)β
Summary of Steps
- Let y=x2β1βx2+1ββ and identify u and v.
- Apply the quotient rule to differentiate y.
- Use the chain rule to find dxduβ and dxdvβ.
- Simplify the numerator by combining and reducing terms.
- Simplify the denominator to express the final derivative:
dxdyβ=(x2β1)3/2β2xβ