Apply Power Rule: We need to find the derivative of the function f(x)=x−7 with respect to x. To do this, we use the power rule for differentiation, which states that if f(x)=xn, then f′(x)=n⋅xn−1.
Calculate Derivative: Applying the power rule to f(x)=x−7, we get f′(x)=(−7)⋅x−7−1=−7⋅x−8.
Substitute x=−1: Now we need to evaluate the derivative at x=−1. So we substitute x with −1 in the expression for f′(x): f′(−1)=−7∗(−1)−8.
Evaluate Derivative: Since any non-zero number raised to an even power is positive, (−1)−8 is equal to 1. Therefore, f′(−1)=−7⋅1=−7.
Evaluate Derivative: Since any non-zero number raised to an even power is positive, (−1)−8 is equal to 1. Therefore, f′(−1)=−7×1=−7.We have found the value of the derivative at x=−1, which is −7. This completes the problem.