How do you find the derivative of f(x)=x+1/x^2?

1 Answer
Dec 5, 2016

(df)/(dx) = 1-2/x^3

Explanation:

The derivative is linear, that is the derivative of the sum of two functions equals the sum of the derivatives:

d(f+g)/(dx) = (df)/(dx)+(dg)/(dx)

Hence:

d(x+1/x^2)/(dx) = d/(dx) x + d/(dx) (1/x^2)

We can evaluate each term using the general rule:

d/(dx) x^n = n*x^(n-1)

so:

d(x+1/x^2)/(dx) = d/(dx) x + d/(dx) (1/x^2) =1 -2/x^3