Derivatives of Constant Multiples

Example:

W = 4*(ln(x))³

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:

(ln(x))³

The Derivative Rule for Constant Multiples:

The derivative of a constant multiple is the constant times thederivative of the function.
If

( f(x) )

then the derivative of z is

	z'	=	( c	f(x) )'
		=	c	f '(x)

So our example,

(ln(x))³

we can think of as

f(x)

So the derivative is

W '	= (	c	f(x)	)'
	=	c	f '(x)
	=	4	((ln(x))³)'

and we just need to know the derivative on the right-hand side of the equation. In this case this is

(ln(x))³

3*(ln(x))² x^-1

(by the chain rule)

so the finished derivative is

W '	=	4	( 3*(ln(x))² x^-1 )
	=	12*x^-1 (ln(x))²

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.