small question

[Probe]

so this was on my calculus homework: differentiate 3 cos x. i know the derivative of cosx is -sinx, but im not sure how to write it with the 3. is it -3sinx or 3-sinx, is there a difference? or am i dong it wrong? thanks!

[rabbit]

3 remains, as it is a coefficient.  It's -3sinx, since it is a coefficient.  If it was 3+cosx, the derivative would be -sinx (constants drop out).

[Rule]

so this was on my calculus homework: differentiate 3 cos x. i know the derivative of cosx is -sinx, but im not sure how to write it with the 3. is it -3sinx or 3-sinx, is there a difference? or am i dong it wrong? thanks!

Is there a difference between 3 - sin(x) and -3*sin(x)?  Of course!  Is there no difference between (-3)*sin(x) and (3)*(-sin(x))?  Of course!