Chapter 4.1
Chapter 4.1
1
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Homework (Due 1/25/11):
1:55 PM (4.1) 4,6,8,10,14, 20, 32,34
Exam#2 1/27/11
Prove the power rule from calculus f(x) = xn => f'(x) = nxn-1 d/dx holds true for all positive integers
Base Case:
n == 1
If n ==1, f(x) = x1 = x
Then
f'(x) = 1 = 1 x1 - 1
= 1 * x0
=1
Induction Step:
n == k + 1
f(x) = xk+1, want to show f'(x) = (k+1)xk
**Recall the product Rule: if h(x) = f(x)g(x), h'(x) = f(x)g'(x) + f'(x)g(x)
f(x) = xk+1 = xkx1 = xkx
f'(x) = xk*1 + kxk-1x
= xk + kxk
= (k+1)xk
By the fist principle of mathematical induction, the rule is true for all integers k>= 1