A power function is any function of the form f(x) = xa, where a is any real number.
The following are all power functions:

The following are all power functions, written deceptively.The function

is a power function since it can be written as
f(x) = x1/2
or
f(x) = x.5.
The function

is also a power function, since this can be written as
g(x) = x–6.
The function
f(x) = xx
is not a power function, because the exponent is a variable instead of a constant.
We usually assume the exponent a isn't 0, because if a is 0 we find a power function. The function
f(x) = x0 = 1
is a constant function, and we already know how to deal with those.
There's a skill needed for integrals that we'll consider now: thinking backwards. Instead of taking a function and figuring out its derivative, think about looking at a derivative and figuring out what sort of function it came from. Try this out when looking over solutions to derivatives.
There's a skill needed for integrals that we'll consider now: thinking backwards. Instead of taking a function and figuring out its derivative, think about looking at a derivative and figuring out what sort of function it came from. Try this out when looking over solutions to derivatives. If f'(x) = 5x4, what could the original function f(x) be? |
Find the derivative of the function f(x) = x2, using the limit definition of the derivative.
Find the derivative of the function f(x) = x3, using the limit definition of the derivative.
Find the derivative of the function f(x) = x4, using the limit definition of the derivative.
Now it's time for pattern-finding. We know the following functions and their derivatives:
f(x) = x2 f'(x) = 2x
f(x) = x3 f'(x) = 3x2
f(x) = x4 f'(x) = 4x3
What is the pattern?
Find the derivative of the power function f(x) = x10.
Find the derivative of the power function f(x) = x85.
Find the derivative of the power function k(x) = x3.5.
Find the derivative of the power function k(x) = x–6.
Find the derivative of the power function
.
Find the derivative of the power function h(x) = x(π + e).
Find the derivative of the power function
.
Find the derivative of the power function
.
Find the derivative of the power function k(x) = x0.
Find the derivative of the power function
.
For the derivative f'(x) = 3x2, find a possible original function.
For the derivative f'(x) = 8x7, find a possible original function.
For the derivative f'(x) = –3x–4, find a possible original function.
For the derivative g'(x) = –9x–10, find a possible original function.
For the derivative
,
find a possible original function.