Core 1: Given that y = x^4 + x^2+3. Find dy/dx

First what we need to do is we need to think of what the question is asking us to find. In this case it is dy/dx but what is this. This is the rate of change of y with respect to x.  For understanding purposes: To do this what we want to do is use our formal definition of a derivative with our limit as h tends to 0 for (f(x+h)-f(x))/h. We can then sub in our equation into this and find our answer. 

Quicker Method: dy/dx of x^n=nx^n-1. We can then do this to every part of our function y to get an answer of 4x^3 +2x

DS

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

When finding the turning points of a curve, how can I tell if it is a maximum, minimum or a point of inflection?


Find the gradient at the point (0, ln 2) on the curve with equation e^2y = 5 − e^−x


Where do the graphs of y=3x-2 and y=x^2+4x-8 meet?


A circle is given by the equation x^2+y^2-20x-24y+195=0. Draw this circle.