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

2 Answers
Jul 7, 2016

#-4/(x+1)^3#

Explanation:

# u(x) = 2#
# v(x) = (x+1)^2#

#f(x) = (u(x))/(v(x))#

#((u(x))/(v(x)))^' = (u'(x).v(x) - u(x).v'(x))/(v(x)^2#

#f'(x) = (0.(x+1)^2 - 2.(2x+2))/(x+1)^4#

#f'(x) = -(4(x+1))/(x+1)^4 = -(4cancel((x+1)))/cancel((x+1))^4 = -4/(x+1)^3#

Jul 8, 2016

#-4/((x+1)^3)#

Explanation:

An alternative view is the following

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

then we can use the chain rule and power rule

#f'(x) = -4(x+1)^-3 = -4/((x+1)^3)#