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I want to check my answers concerning the derivative of the following functions: $\displaystyle f(x)= \frac{1}{x}$ and of $\displaystyle j(x)= x^3-x$


$$\displaystyle f(x)= \frac{1}{x}$$ $$\begin{align} f'(x) & = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} \\ & = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\frac{1}{x+h} - \frac{1}{x}}{h} \\ & = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\frac{x}{x(x+h)} - \frac{(x+h)}{x(x+h)}}{h} \\ & = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\frac{x - (x+h)}{x^2+hx}}{h} \\ & = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\frac{-h}{x^2+hx}}{h} \\ & = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{-h}{x^2+hx} \times \frac{1}{h} \\ & = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{-1}{x^2+hx} \\ & = -\frac{1}{x^2} \end{align}$$


$$j(x) = x^3 - x$$ $$\begin{align} j'(x) & = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{f(x+h) - f(x)}{h} \\ & = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{(x+h)^3 - x^3 - x}{h} \\ & = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{x^3 + 3x^2h + 3xh^2 + h^3 - x - h - x^3 + x}{h} \\ & = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{3x^2h + 3xh^2 + h^3 - h}{h} \\ & = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{h(3x^2 + 3xh + h^2 - 1)}{h} \\ & = \frac{3x^2 - 1}{1} \\ & = 3x^2 - 1 \end{align}$$

Please, be rude, if you see any error correct me.

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    $\begingroup$ Having had a quick scan through, everything appears to be alright. $\endgroup$
    – Andrew D
    Commented Sep 9, 2013 at 20:44
  • $\begingroup$ @AndréNicolas The title is wrong? $\endgroup$
    – user93957
    Commented Sep 9, 2013 at 20:53
  • $\begingroup$ The title is missing the '$-1$' on $(x^3-x)' = 3x^2$. (And the derivation has a small matho, too - the second line is missing '$-(x+h)$' after $(x+h)^3$, but it's been reinstated for the third line.) $\endgroup$ Commented Sep 9, 2013 at 20:56

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The title of your post says the derivative of $\frac 1x$ is $\frac{1}{x^2}$ but in your post, you found that the derivative is $-\frac{1}{x^2}$, which is correct. Also, in the title you wrote that the derivative of $x^3-x$ is $3x^2$, but you found that it is $3x^2-1$

Your calculations are correct, keep up the good work!

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Your title is wrong but your limits in the actual post are correct.

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