Calculus 8th Edition

Published by Cengage
ISBN 10: 1285740629
ISBN 13: 978-1-28574-062-1

Chapter 2 - Derivatives - Review - Exercises - Page 198: 57

Answer

$$ f(x)=(x-a)(x-b)(x-c) $$ By using the Product Rule to differentiate the function $f$ we have : $$ f^{\prime}(x)=(x-b)(x-c)+(x-a)(x-c)+(x-a)(x-b) $$ So $$ \begin{aligned} \frac{f^{\prime}(x)}{f(x)}&=\frac{(x-b)(x-c)+(x-a)(x-c)+(x-a)(x-b)}{(x-a)(x-b)(x-c)}\\ &=\frac{1}{x-a}+\frac{1}{x-b}+\frac{1}{x-c}. \end{aligned} $$

Work Step by Step

$$ f(x)=(x-a)(x-b)(x-c) $$ By using the Product Rule to differentiate the function $f$ we have : $$ f^{\prime}(x)=(x-b)(x-c)+(x-a)(x-c)+(x-a)(x-b) $$ So $$ \begin{aligned} \frac{f^{\prime}(x)}{f(x)}&=\frac{(x-b)(x-c)+(x-a)(x-c)+(x-a)(x-b)}{(x-a)(x-b)(x-c)}\\ &=\frac{1}{x-a}+\frac{1}{x-b}+\frac{1}{x-c}. \end{aligned} $$
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.