Solve -2a^3div2a

$$- 2 a ^ { 3 } \div 2 a$$

Evaluate

$$-a^{4}$$

Solution Steps

Cancel out 2 and 2.

$$-a^{3}a$$

To multiply powers of the same base, add their exponents. Add 3 and 1 to get 4.

$$-a^{4}$$

Differentiate w.r.t. a

$$-4a^{3}$$

Steps Using Definition of a Derivative

Cancel out 2 and 2.

$$\frac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d}a}(-a^{3}a)$$

To multiply powers of the same base, add their exponents. Add 3 and 1 to get 4.

$$\frac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d}a}(-a^{4})$$

The derivative of ax^{n} is nax^{n-1}.

$$4\left(-1\right)a^{4-1}$$

Multiply 4 times -1.

$$-4a^{4-1}$$

Subtract 1 from 4.

$$-4a^{3}$$