Calculus I - Double Derivitive

In summary, the derivative of y = x / (x^(2)+1) is (1 - x^2) / (x^2 + 1)^2 and the second derivative is (1 - 3x^2) / (x^2 + 1)^3. However, there may be a mistake in the calculations and further simplification may be needed.
  • #1
RaptorsFan
12
0

Homework Statement



Find dy/dx and d^2y/dx^2

y = x / (x^(2)+1)

Homework Equations



d/dx (f/g) = (g d/dx f - f d/dx g) / g^2

The Attempt at a Solution



Finding d/dx:

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

= (x^2 + 1) - (2x^2) / (x^(2)+1)^2

So that's my first derivative answer.. now on to the second.

d/dx(d/dx y) (x^2 + 1)^2 d/dx [(x^(2)+1)-(2x^2)] / (x^(2)+1)^4

((x^(2)+1)^2)(2x-4x)-[4x(x^(2)+1)-(2x^2)/ (x^(2)+1)^4So, there is bound to be a mistake somewhere.. thank you in advance
 
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  • #2
RaptorsFan said:

Homework Statement



Find dy/dx and d^2y/dx^2

y = x / (x^(2)+1)


Homework Equations



d/dx (f/g) = (g d/dx f - f d/dx g) / g^2

The Attempt at a Solution



Finding d/dx:

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

= (x^2 + 1) - (2x^2) / (x^(2)+1)^2
i find it quite difficult to read, as you leave out brackets,

[tex] \frac{d}{dx} y = \frac{d}{dx} (\frac{x}{x^2 + 1}) [/tex]

[tex] = \frac{(x^2 + 1)\frac{d}{dx} (x) - x \frac{d}{dx}(x^2 + 1)}{(x^2 + 1)^2} [/tex]

[tex] = \frac{((x^2 + 1) - 2x^2) }{(x^2 + 1)^2} [/tex]
looks similar to what you had, but with an extra bracket,

though you should also simplify before differentiating again
[tex] = \frac{ 1 - x^2 }{(x^2 + 1)^2} [/tex]



RaptorsFan said:
So that's my first derivative answer.. now on to the second.

d/dx(d/dx y) (x^2 + 1)^2 d/dx [(x^(2)+1)-(2x^2)] / (x^(2)+1)^4

((x^(2)+1)^2)(2x-4x)-[4x(x^(2)+1)-(2x^2)/ (x^(2)+1)^4


So, there is bound to be a mistake somewhere.. thank you in advance
as mentioned its hard to read without missing +,-,= & brackets

that said I find wreting it as below, then diifferntiating again using the product rule a little easier, though it will lead to identical result as the quotient rule
[tex] \frac{dy}{dx} = (1 - x^2)(x^2 + 1)^{-2} [/tex]
 
Last edited:

Related to Calculus I - Double Derivitive

1. What is a double derivative?

A double derivative is the derivative of a derivative. In other words, it is the rate of change of the rate of change of a function.

2. How do you find the double derivative of a function?

To find the double derivative of a function, you first take the derivative of the function, and then take the derivative of that derivative. This can be represented as d²y/dx².

3. What is the significance of the double derivative in calculus?

The double derivative allows us to understand the curvature of a function. If the double derivative is positive, the function is concave up, and if it is negative, the function is concave down. It also helps us find points of inflection and local extrema.

4. Can the double derivative be negative and positive at the same time?

No, the double derivative can only have one value at a given point. However, it can change sign at different points on a function, indicating a change in concavity.

5. How is the double derivative related to higher order derivatives?

The double derivative is just one example of a higher order derivative. The n-th derivative is the derivative of the (n-1)-th derivative. So the double derivative is the second derivative, while the triple derivative is the third derivative, and so on.

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