I was wondering with the process of graphing the derivative of a graph, is the shape something you should just know off by heart? I know graphs like x^4 become x^3 to x^2 and then linear, but what about graphs with a rational power?
About graph with a rational power, you find derivative then graph it.
There are some basic shapes with rational power graphs. I just remember it
I doubt they have this kind of question in exam 1
mmk thanks, i came across one in a trial exam (not vcaa though), i think the derived graph was x^-(1/3)
You should probably just take tangents at specific points and sketch the graph rather than memorising the general shape.
@ True Tears: I mean at first you need to know the basic shape of original graph.
Then you can draw the derivative graph based on the original one
@ nangwo: Anyway, guess what??? I'm reading Derrick Ha's maths notes and he has a very interesting way to draw the graph of rational power.
I can't wait to share with you

Well, he wrote that: to sketch the graph

there are 3 steps
1. Sketch

2. Sketch y=x
3. Reflect the first graph along the line y=x
However, this method is only used when n is positive

In your question, n is negative so you can't apply this method
I think you can re-write

And this graph has similar shape as the rectangular hyperbola graph
