# Derivative proof

• April 23rd 2013, 12:19 AM
JellyOnion
Derivative proof
If y=x^3, prove that x(dy/dx)=3y for all values of x.

any help is really appreciated, thx
• April 23rd 2013, 01:30 AM
agentmulder
Re: Derivative proof
Quote:

Originally Posted by JellyOnion
If y=x^3, prove that x(dy/dx)=3y for all values of x.

any help is really appreciated, thx

$\frac{d}{dx}(y) = \frac{d}{dx}(x^3)$

$\frac{dy}{dx} = 3x^2$

multiply both sides by x

$x \frac{dy}{dx} = 3x^3$

but y = x^3 so substitute

$x \frac{dy}{dx} = 3y$

I'm not sure about the 'all values of x' part. If x = 0 then we are zeroing out both sides of the equation and that's usually a no-no.

On the other hand , the equation was true for all real values of x BEFORE i multiplied by x so even if x = 0 we get 0 = 0 which is still true.

Maybe other MHF members can provide some insightful input regarding this matter.

:)
• April 23rd 2013, 03:07 AM
JellyOnion
Re: Derivative proof
Thx agentmulder
• April 23rd 2013, 03:25 AM
zhandele
Re: Derivative proof
It works at x=0 too. Plug in x=0 y=(0)^3 it works. The continuity of x^3 guarantees it. You could make a limit argument, as x goes to 0.
• April 24th 2013, 11:32 PM
hollywood
Re: Derivative proof
There is usually no problem with multiplying both sides of an equation by an expression that might be zero. It's when we divide by an expression that might be zero that we run into problems. For example, if x=2 and y=3,

x-1 = y-2 is true, and if we multiply both sides by (x-2), we get (x-2)(x-1) = (x-2)(y-2) which is also true. But:

(x-2)(y-2) = (x-2)(x-3) is true, and if we divide both sides by (x-2) we get y-2 = x-3, which is not true.

- Hollywood