Derivatives of Constant Multiples

Example:
B(q) = 8*7q

The first thing to notice when finding the derivative of this function is that it is the product of a constant and another function, as shown in color below:

B(q) = 8 7q

The Derivative Rule for Constant Multiples:

The derivative of a constant multiple is the constant times thederivative of the function.
If
  z = c ( f(x) )
then the derivative of z is
  z' = ( c f(x) )'
    = c f '(x)

So our example,

B(q) = 8 7q
we can think of as
B(q) = c f(q)
So the derivative is
B '(q) = ( c f(q) )'
  = c f '(q)  
  = 8 (7q)'  
and we just need to know the derivative on the right-hand side of the equation. In this case this is
7q = (ln(7))*7q (by the derivative rules for basic functions)
so the finished derivative is
B '(q) = 8 ( (ln(7))*7q )
  = (8(ln(7)))*7q
[]


additional explanation for the derivative of constant multiples
see another derivative of constant multiples example
practice gateway test
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Comments to Gavin LaRose
glarose@umich.edu
©2001 Gavin LaRose, University of Michigan Math Dept.