1. ## Differentiation problem

Hi, How do you differentiate the following equation with respect to x?

E = 1/2mv^2 + 1/2*2kx^2 + 1/2*3k(xb-xa)^2

ignore the b and a after the last set of x's - this is just to say the will take on different values.

2. Originally Posted by thermalwarrior
Hi, How do you differentiate the following equation with respect to x?

E = 1/2mv^2 + 1/2*2kx^2 + 1/2*3k(xb-xa)^2

ignore the b and a after the last set of x's - this is just to say the will take on different values.
Is this what you want to differentiate?

$E = 0.5mv^2 + kx^2 + 1.5k(x(b-a))^2$

Do you understand the power rule of derivatives? If not, you should review the rule. I posted it here: http://www.mathhelpforum.com/math-he...78-post56.html

3. nearly,

should read 0.5 before kx^2, 0.5 instead of 1.5 before k and the x in the brackets should be Xb - Xa(its the difference between two parts of a spring).

4. Hello,

Does this look better ?

$E = 0.5mv^2 + 0.5kx^2 + 0.5k(x_b-x_a))^2$

Whaaa...You should really learn how to use LaTeX ^^

5. nearly!!! the last 1.5 should be 0.5