Derivative calculations Evaluate the derivative of the following functions at the given point.
f(s) = 2√s-1; a=25

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the function and the point at which you need to evaluate the derivative. The function is \( f(s) = 2\sqrt{s} - 1 \) and the point is \( a = 25 \).
2. Step 2: Rewrite the function in a form that is easier to differentiate. Express \( \sqrt{s} \) as \( s^{1/2} \). Thus, the function becomes \( f(s) = 2s^{1/2} - 1 \).
3. Step 3: Differentiate the function using the power rule. The power rule states that \( \frac{d}{ds}[s^n] = ns^{n-1} \). Apply this to \( 2s^{1/2} \) to find \( f'(s) \).
4. Step 4: Calculate the derivative \( f'(s) \). Using the power rule, \( f'(s) = 2 \cdot \frac{1}{2}s^{-1/2} = s^{-1/2} \).
5. Step 5: Evaluate the derivative at \( s = 25 \). Substitute \( s = 25 \) into \( f'(s) = s^{-1/2} \) to find \( f'(25) \).

Key Concepts

Derivative

The derivative of a function measures how the function's output value changes as its input value changes. It is defined as the limit of the average rate of change of the function over an interval as the interval approaches zero. In practical terms, the derivative at a point gives the slope of the tangent line to the function's graph at that point.

Chain Rule

The chain rule is a fundamental technique in calculus used to differentiate composite functions. It states that if a function is composed of two functions, say f(g(x)), the derivative can be found by multiplying the derivative of the outer function f with the derivative of the inner function g. This rule is essential when dealing with functions that involve nested expressions.

Square Root Function

The square root function, denoted as √s, is a specific type of function that returns the non-negative value whose square is s. When differentiating functions involving square roots, it is important to apply the power rule appropriately, as √s can be rewritten as s^(1/2). Understanding how to manipulate and differentiate square root functions is crucial for solving problems involving them.