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5.6 Derivatives of Polynomials

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    Definition: Derivative of Polynomials

    Given the function f(x) = 6x2 + 3x + 6, find the derivative.  When the function is a polynomial, you can find the derivative by doing the following for each term.

    f'(x) = 2(6)x2-1  + (1)(3)x + (0)6x0-1  = 12x1  + 3x0 + 0 = 12x + 3

    1) Bring the exponent down and multiply it by the coefficient.

    2) Subtract one from the exponent.

    3) Simplify.

    4) The derivative of a constant is 0. 

    Example \(\PageIndex{5.6.1}\)

    Find the derivative of the following polynomial.

    f(x) = 4x3 - 5x2  + 10x - 5

    Solution

    f'(x) = 3(4)x3 - 1  - (2)(5)x2 - 1 + (1)(10)x1 - 1 - 0

    f'(x) = 12x2  - 10x1 + 10x0 - 0

    f'(x) = 12x2  - 10x + 10


    5.6 Derivatives of Polynomials is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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