Find the Derivative - d/dx f(x)=1/x

Problem

ddx⁢1x d over d x 1 over x

Solution

  1. Rewrite the expression using a negative exponent to prepare for the power rule.

1x=x−1 1 over x equals x to the negative 1 power

  1. Apply the power rule for differentiation, which states that dxndx=n⁢xn−1 d x to the n-th power over d x equals n x raised to the n minus 1 power

dx−1dx=−1⋅x−1−1 d x to the negative 1 power over d x equals negative 1 times x raised to the negative 1 minus 1 power

  1. Simplify the exponent by performing the subtraction.

−1⋅x−2=−x−2 negative 1 times x to the negative 2 power equals negative x to the negative 2 power

  1. Convert the expression back into fraction form by moving the variable to the denominator.

−x−2=−1x2 negative x to the negative 2 power equals negative the fraction with numerator 1 and denominator x squared

Final Answer

ddx⁢1x=−1x2 d over d x 1 over x equals negative the fraction with numerator 1 and denominator x squared


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