Derivative help

[SMITH4]

Find the derivative.

f(x) = 7x^1/2, find f'(6)

a. 2.86
b. 1.43
c. 5.72
d. 1.13

the ^1/2 is messing me up here. Can anyone offer advise?

 

[stapel]

Do you mean that you aren't familiar with how to differentiate exponents? Or that you aren't familiar with fractional exponents? Or something else?

Please reply clarifying what is the difficulty you are having, so we can know how to assist you.

Thank you.

Eliz.

 

[SMITH4]

I am saying it is messign me up and I don't know what to do. Gene or SOroban can you help me. Stapel just confuses me more!

 

[stapel]

I am saying it is messign me up and I don't know what to do.

It's just an exponent. Apply the usual exponent rule for derivatives:

. . . . .For y = axⁿ, we have y' = anx^n-1

The only difference here is that "n" is fractional.

Eliz.

 

[Guest]

Hey Smith!!!!!! You came back! I am confused on this one too. If I do what I think the Stapel person is saying I get a for the answer. Glad to see you!