Mathematics

Mathematics

Problem

Let f(x)=5sin⁡x−2cos⁡xf(x)=5\sin x-2\cos x. What is f′(π/3)f'(\pi/3)? a) 52−3\dfrac{5}{2}-\sqrt{3} b) 532−1\dfrac{5\sqrt{3}}{2}-1 c) 52+3\dfrac{5}{2}+\sqrt{3} d) 52+32\dfrac{5}{2}+\dfrac{\sqrt{3}}{2}
Intuitive explanation

The core concept here is derivative of trigonometric functions—you need to know that the derivative of sin⁡x\sin x is cos⁡x\cos x and the derivative of cos⁡x\cos x is −sin⁡x-\sin x. Once you differentiate f(x)f(x) term by term, you'll have a formula for f′(x)f'(x) that works at any point. Then it's just a matter of plugging in x=π/3x = \pi/3 and evaluating sin⁡(π/3)\sin(\pi/3) and cos⁡(π/3)\cos(\pi/3) using standard angle values.

Intuitive explanation

The core concept here is derivative of trigonometric functions—you need to know that the derivative of sin⁡x\sin x is cos⁡x\cos x and the derivative of cos⁡x\cos x is −sin⁡x-\sin x. Once you differentiate f(x)f(x) term by term, you'll have a formula for f′(x)f'(x) that works at any point. Then it's just a matter of plugging in x=π/3x = \pi/3 and evaluating sin⁡(π/3)\sin(\pi/3) and cos⁡(π/3)\cos(\pi/3) using standard angle values.

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