Pia R.

asked • 03/11/16

How do i know if y=x^2/3 Is differentiable ont [-1,10]

Without graphing! Pls help :(

1 Expert Answer

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Ira S. answered • 03/11/16

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Pia R.

How did you know that the derivative is undefined at 0?
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03/12/16

Ira S.

A fractional expression is undefined when  the numerator is a non zero number and the denominator is zero.....5/0 0r -12/0.....so your derivative is undefined when 3x^(1/3) = 0 ( the denominator is 0) which is when x = 0. You get what i'm saying?
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03/12/16

Pia R.

Oh okay i have to substitute the numbers on the domain to the x on the derivative! Thank u so much!
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03/12/16

Ira S.

I;\'m not sure you get it....y' = 45/(x-5) is undefined when x=5 since the denominator will be 0. y' = 1/(x2-16) is undefned when the denominator is 0...which is when x=plus or minus 4......Got me?
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03/12/16

Pia R.

So for the closed interval that I have, how do I know that it is not differentiable? Solely because of the graph is that right? Im so confused im sorry
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03/12/16

Ira S.

find the trouble spots....if your interval does not contain the trouble spot numn
bers, then it will be differentiable. If it does all hell breaks loose.. If your interval was from 2 to 14, there is no problem...if your interval contains zero, in your case, there's a problem. so find the problem numbers.
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03/12/16

Pia R.

Okay one last thing, what am I solvng for this part? A fractional expression is undefined when the numerator is a non zero number and the denominator is zero.....5/0 0r -12/0.....so your derivative is undefined when 3x^(1/3) = 0 ( the denominator is 0) which is when x = 0. You get what i'm saying?
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03/12/16

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