Applying the Quotient Rule

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 20 views

Introduction

In this article, we will explore the concept of finding the derivative of a given function, specifically the function $f(x) = \frac{3 \tan x}{x}$ . The derivative of a function represents the rate of change of the function with respect to its input variable. It is a fundamental concept in calculus and has numerous applications in various fields, including physics, engineering, and economics.

Background on Derivatives

Before we dive into finding the derivative of $f(x)$ , let's briefly review the concept of derivatives. The derivative of a function $f(x)$ is denoted as $f^{\prime}(x)$ and represents the rate of change of the function with respect to $x$ . It is defined as:

f^{\prime}(x) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x + h) - f(x)}{h}

Finding the Derivative of $f(x)$

To find the derivative of $f(x) = \frac{3 \tan x}{x}$ , we will use the quotient rule of differentiation. The quotient rule states that if we have a function of the form $f(x) = \frac{g(x)}{h(x)}$ , then the derivative of $f(x)$ is given by:

f^{\prime}(x) = \frac{h(x)g^{\prime}(x) - g(x)h^{\prime}(x)}{[h(x)]^2}

In our case, we have $g(x) = 3 \tan x$ and $h(x) = x$ . We need to find the derivatives of $g(x)$ and $h(x)$ .

Derivative of $g(x) = 3 \tan x$

To find the derivative of $g(x) = 3 \tan x$ , we will use the chain rule of differentiation. The chain rule states that if we have a function of the form $f(x) = g(h(x))$ , then the derivative of $f(x)$ is given by:

f^{\prime}(x) = g^{\prime}(h(x)) \cdot h^{\prime}(x)

In our case, we have $g(x) = 3 \tan x$ and $h(x) = x$ . We know that the derivative of $\tan x$ is $\sec^2 x$ , so we have:

g^{\prime}(x) = 3 \sec^2 x

Derivative of $h(x) = x$

The derivative of $h(x) = x$ is simply $h^{\prime}(x) = 1$ .

Applying the Quotient Rule

Now that we have found the derivatives of $g(x)$ and $h(x)$ , we can apply the quotient rule to find the derivative of $f(x)$ :

f^{\prime}(x) = \frac{x(3 \sec^2 x) - (3 \tan x)(1)}{x^2}

Simplifying the Derivative

We can simplify the derivative by combining like terms:

f^{\prime}(x) = \frac{3x \sec^2 x - 3 \tan x}{x^2}

Conclusion

In this article, we have found the derivative of the function $f(x) = \frac{3 \tan x}{x}$ using the quotient rule of differentiation. The derivative of $f(x)$ is given by:

f^{\prime}(x) = \frac{3x \sec^2 x - 3 \tan x}{x^2}

This result demonstrates the importance of the quotient rule in finding the derivatives of functions that involve quotients of other functions.

Final Answer

The final answer is $\boxed{\frac{3x \sec^2 x - 3 \tan x}{x^2}}$ .

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the concept of finding the derivative of a given function, specifically the function $f(x) = \frac{3 \tan x}{x}$ . We used the quotient rule of differentiation to find the derivative of $f(x)$ , which is given by:

f^{\prime}(x) = \frac{3x \sec^2 x - 3 \tan x}{x^2}

In this article, we will address some common questions and concerns that readers may have regarding the derivative of $f(x)$ .

Q&A

Q: What is the quotient rule of differentiation?

A: The quotient rule of differentiation is a rule that allows us to find the derivative of a function that involves a quotient of other functions. It states that if we have a function of the form $f(x) = \frac{g(x)}{h(x)}$ , then the derivative of $f(x)$ is given by:

f^{\prime}(x) = \frac{h(x)g^{\prime}(x) - g(x)h^{\prime}(x)}{[h(x)]^2}

Q: How do I apply the quotient rule to find the derivative of $f(x)$ ?

A: To apply the quotient rule, you need to identify the functions $g(x)$ and $h(x)$ in the given function $f(x)$ . In our case, we have $g(x) = 3 \tan x$ and $h(x) = x$ . We then need to find the derivatives of $g(x)$ and $h(x)$ , which are $g^{\prime}(x) = 3 \sec^2 x$ and $h^{\prime}(x) = 1$ , respectively. Finally, we can plug these values into the quotient rule formula to find the derivative of $f(x)$ .

Q: What is the significance of the derivative of $f(x)$ ?

A: The derivative of $f(x)$ represents the rate of change of the function $f(x)$ with respect to its input variable $x$ . It is a fundamental concept in calculus and has numerous applications in various fields, including physics, engineering, and economics.

Q: Can I use the quotient rule to find the derivative of any function that involves a quotient of other functions?

A: Yes, the quotient rule can be used to find the derivative of any function that involves a quotient of other functions. However, you need to make sure that the functions $g(x)$ and $h(x)$ are both differentiable.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when applying the quotient rule?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when applying the quotient rule include:

Failing to identify the functions $g(x)$ and $h(x)$ in the given function $f(x)$ .
Failing to find the derivatives of $g(x)$ and $h(x)$ .
Failing to plug the correct values into the quotient rule formula.
Failing to simplify the resulting expression.

Conclusion

In this article, we have addressed some common questions and concerns that readers may have regarding the derivative of $f(x) = \frac{3 \tan x}{x}$ . We have also provided some tips and reminders on how to apply the quotient rule to find the derivative of a function that involves a quotient of other functions.

Final Answer

The final answer is $\boxed{\frac{3x \sec^2 x - 3 \tan x}{x^2}}$ .