Derivatives of Roots and Fractions When finding the derivatives of functions involving fractions and roots, we need to change

the functions into a different form that allows us to see what's going on better. Recall that:
n

x = xn

1 = x 1 x
So, whenever we have a function that involves a root or a fraction, we're able to change it into exponential form. Now, with the function in this form, we can apply the power rule to find the derivative. Example: Differentiate the following function:
y= 1 4 x

Solution: Applying the rule above, we see that this function is equal to:
y = 4x
1 2

Now, we apply the power rule to get:

y ' = 2 x

3 2

2 x3

Try differentiating the following functions on your own, making use of the formulas above and applying the power rule. 1

f ( x) =
2

1 1 + 3 x x

f ( x) = 5 x

f ( x) =
4

3 2 x2
102 1 x

f ( x) =

f ( x) =
6

4 + 2 x3 5 7 3x

f ( x) =
7

x x

f ( x) =
8
f ( x) =

3x 4 x6
1 x 1 x

9
f ( x) =
3

10
f ( x) = 1 x

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