Derivative of a/x

We now understand the derivative of a/x. It is commonly represented as d/dx (a/x) or (a/x)', and its value is -a/x². The function a/x has a clearly defined derivative, indicating it is differentiable within its domain.

The key concepts are mentioned below: 

Function: a/x is a simple rational function. 

Derivative Rule: Rule for differentiating a/x using the power rule. 

Simplification: -a/x² is obtained by differentiating the function.

The derivative of a/x can be denoted as d/dx (a/x) or (a/x)'.

The formula we use to differentiate a/x is: d/dx (a/x) = -a/x²

The formula applies to all x where x ≠ 0.

We can derive the derivative of a/x using proofs. To show this, we will use basic differentiation rules.

There are several methods we use to prove this, such as: 

• By First Principle 
   
• Using Power Rule

We will now demonstrate that the differentiation of a/x results in -a/x² using the above-mentioned methods:

By First Principle

The derivative of a/x can be proved using the First Principle, which expresses the derivative as the limit of the difference quotient. To find the derivative of a/x using the first principle, we will consider f(x) = a/x. Its derivative can be expressed as the following limit. f'(x) = limₕ→₀ [f(x + h) - f(x)] / h … (1)

Given that f(x) = a/x, we write f(x + h) = a/(x + h). Substituting these into equation (1), f'(x) = limₕ→₀ [a/(x + h) - a/x] / h = limₕ→₀ [a(x - (x + h))] / [h(x)(x + h)] = limₕ→₀ [-ah] / [h(x)(x + h)] = limₕ→₀ [-a] / [x(x + h)] = -a/x² as h approaches 0. Hence, proved.

Using Power Rule

To prove the differentiation of a/x using the power rule, we rewrite the function: a/x = ax⁻¹ Differentiate using the power rule: d/dx(ax⁻¹) = a(-1)x⁻² = -a/x². Hence, the derivative is -a/x².

When a function is differentiated several times, the derivatives obtained are referred to as higher-order derivatives. Higher-order derivatives can be a little tricky. To understand them better, think of a car where the speed changes (first derivative) and the rate at which the speed changes (second derivative) also changes. Higher-order derivatives make it easier to understand functions like a/x.

For the first derivative of a function, we write f′(x), which indicates how the function changes or its slope at a certain point. The second derivative is derived from the first derivative, which is denoted using f′′(x). Similarly, the third derivative, f′′′(x), is the result of the second derivative, and this pattern continues.

For the nth Derivative of a/x, we generally use fⁿ(x) for the nth derivative of a function f(x), which tells us the change in the rate of change (continuing for higher-order derivatives).

When x = 0, the derivative is undefined because a/x has a vertical asymptote there. When a = 0, the derivative of a/x = -0/x², which is 0 for all x ≠ 0.

• Derivative: The derivative of a function indicates how the given function changes in response to a slight change in x.

• Power Rule: A fundamental rule in differentiation used to find derivatives of functions in the form of axⁿ.

• Rational Function: A function represented by a ratio of two polynomials, such as a/x.

• Undefined Points: Points in the domain where the function does not exist, such as x = 0 for a/x.

• Chain Rule: A rule used to compute the derivative of a composite function.