Solve 4*x*(-1/2)=

$$4 \cdot x \cdot ( - \frac { 1 } { 2 } ) =$$

Evaluate

$$-2x$$

Solution Steps

Express 4\left(-\frac{1}{2}\right) as a single fraction.

$$\frac{4\left(-1\right)}{2}x$$

Multiply 4 and -1 to get -4.

$$\frac{-4}{2}x$$

Divide -4 by 2 to get -2.

$$-2x$$

Differentiate w.r.t. x

$$-2$$

Steps Using Definition of a Derivative

Express 4\left(-\frac{1}{2}\right) as a single fraction.

$$\frac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d}x}(\frac{4\left(-1\right)}{2}x)$$

Multiply 4 and -1 to get -4.

$$\frac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d}x}(\frac{-4}{2}x)$$

Divide -4 by 2 to get -2.

$$\frac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d}x}(-2x)$$

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

$$-2x^{1-1}$$

Subtract 1 from 1.

$$-2x^{0}$$

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

$$-2$$