How do you find the derivative of #y =1/sqrt(x)#?

1 Answer
Sep 11, 2014

You could use the quotient rule or you could just manipulate the function to show its negative exponent so that you could then use the power rule.

I will convert the function to its negative exponent you make use of the power rule.

#y=1/sqrt(x)=x^(-1/2)#

Now bring down the exponent as a factor and multiply it by the current coefficient, which is 1, and decrement the current power by 1.

#y'= (-1/2)x^((-1/2 -1))=(-1/2)x^((-1/2-2/2))=(-1/2x^(-3/2))=-1/(2x^(3/2))#