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))