University Calculus: Early Transcendentals (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321999584
ISBN 13: 978-0-32199-958-0

Chapter 3 - Section 3.6 - The Chain Rule - Exercises - Page 160: 102

Answer

See below for proof that the acceleration of the particle is $f(x)f'(x)$.

Work Step by Step

Velocity of the particle: $$v=\frac{dx}{dt}=f(x)$$ Acceleration of the particle: $$a=\frac{dv}{dt}$$ Applying the Chain Rule, we can say that $$a=\frac{dv}{dx}\frac{dx}{dt}$$ Recall above that $dx/dt=f(x)$: $$a=\frac{dv}{dx}\times f(x)$$ For $dv/dx$: $$\frac{dv}{dx}=\frac{d}{x}f(x)=f'(x)$$ Therefore, $$a=f(x)f'(x)$$
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