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$ \frac{\partial f}{\partial x}\dfrac{1}{(1-x)^2} = \dfrac{0 *(1-x)^2 - (-1)(1)}{(1-x)^2*(1-x)} $

But:

$ \frac{\partial f}{\partial x}\dfrac{1}{(1-x)^2} \neq \dfrac{0 *(x^2-2x+1) - (2x-2)(1)}{(x^2-2x+1)*(1-x)} $

Why can't I solve the binomial formula in the denominator and then do the derivation?

Thanks in advance!

Bernard
  • 175,478

3 Answers3

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There are some small errors in both derivatives. First, I would look ot the power rule first, and will add that.

Power rule

$\frac {d}{dx} (1-x)^{-2} = -2(1-x)^{-3}(-1) = \frac {2}{(1-x)^3}$

Quotient rule

$\frac {d}{dx} \frac {1}{(1-x)^{2}} = \frac {(1-x)^2(\frac {d}{dx} 1) - (1)(\frac {d}{dx}(1-x)^2)}{(1-x)^4}= \frac {- (1)(2)(1-x)(-1)}{(1-x)^4} = \frac {2}{(1-x)^3}$

Multiply the binomial and apply the quotient rule.

$\frac {d}{dx} \frac {1}{1-2x + x^2} = \frac {(1-2x+ x^2)*0 - (-2+2x)}{(1-2x + x^2)^2} = \frac {2(1-x)}{(1-x)^4} = \frac {2}{(1-x)^3}$

Doug M
  • 57,877
1

By the Quotient Rule, $f'(x)=(-2x+2)\div(1-x)^4$.

It looks like you can expand out $(1-x)^2$, but if you do, the denominator should be $(x^2-2x+1)^2$, which is the same thing as $(1-x)^4$.

Also, I don't think that the partial derivative notation should be used here since $f$ is a function of one variable.

X Stanton
  • 419
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Why you simply use the chain rule?

This formula is basic: for a differentiable function $u(x)$,

$$\biggl(\frac 1{u^n(x)}\biggr)'=\frac{-n}{u^{n+1}(x)}\,u'(x).$$

Bernard
  • 175,478