Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Derivatives
A derivative represents the rate of change of a function with respect to its variable. It is a fundamental concept in calculus that provides information about the slope of the tangent line to the curve of the function at any given point. The derivative can be computed using various rules, such as the power rule, product rule, and quotient rule.
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Power Rule
The power rule is a basic differentiation technique used to find the derivative of functions in the form f(s) = s^n, where n is a real number. According to this rule, the derivative f'(s) is calculated as n * s^(n-1). This rule simplifies the process of differentiation for polynomial functions, making it easier to evaluate derivatives at specific points.
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Evaluating Derivatives at Specific Points
Evaluating the derivative at specific points involves substituting the given values into the derivative function. This process allows us to determine the instantaneous rate of change of the original function at those points. In the context of the question, we will first find the derivative of f(s) and then substitute a = -3 and a = -1 to find f'(-3) and f'(-1).
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