Solve 18a-17a-a-3a=

$$18 a - 17 a - a - 3 a =$$

Evaluate

$$-3a$$

Solution Steps

Combine 18a and -17a to get a.

$$a-a-3a$$

Combine a and -a to get 0.

$$-3a$$

Differentiate w.r.t. a

$$-3$$

Steps Using Definition of a Derivative

Combine 18a and -17a to get a.

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

Combine a and -a to get 0.

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

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

$$-3a^{1-1}$$

Subtract 1 from 1.

$$-3a^{0}$$

For any term t except 0, t^{0}=1.

$$-3$$