Let .
Apply the power rule: goes to
Then, apply the chain rule. Multiply by :
Differentiate term by term:
The derivative of a constant times a function is the constant times the derivative of the function.
Apply the power rule: goes to
So, the result is:
The derivative of a constant times a function is the constant times the derivative of the function.
Apply the power rule: goes to
So, the result is:
The result is:
The result of the chain rule is:
Now simplify:
The answer is:
a - x --------------- ____________ / 2 \/ 2*a*x - x
/ 2 \ | (a - x) | -|1 + ------------| \ x*(-x + 2*a)/ -------------------- ______________ \/ x*(-x + 2*a)
/ 2 \ | (a - x) | 3*|1 + ------------|*(a - x) \ x*(-x + 2*a)/ ---------------------------- 3/2 (x*(-x + 2*a))