Identify Function: We are asked to find the derivative of the function f(x)=−(x+1)2 with respect to x. We will use the power rule and the chain rule for differentiation.
Apply Power Rule and Chain Rule: The power rule states that the derivative of xn with respect to x is n∗x(n−1). The chain rule states that the derivative of a composite function f(g(x)) is f′(g(x))∗g′(x).
Find Derivative of f(u): Let's apply the chain rule to our function. Let u=x+1, then our function becomes f(u)=−u2. We will first find the derivative of f(u) with respect to u, which is f′(u)=−2u.
Find Derivative of u: Now we need to find the derivative of u with respect to x, which is u′=(x+1)′=1, since the derivative of x is 1 and the derivative of a constant is 0.
Apply Chain Rule: Using the chain rule, we multiply the derivative of f with respect to u by the derivative of u with respect to x to get the derivative of f with respect to x. So, the derivative of f(x) with respect to x is f′(x)=f′(u)⋅u′=−2u⋅1.
Substitute u back: Substitute u back into the equation to get the derivative in terms of x. So, f′(x)=−2(x+1).
Expand the Derivative: We can expand the derivative to get f′(x)=−2x−2.
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