Derivative of (x^2-x^-1+1)(x^3+2x-6)^7; cannot simplify

1. Feb 25, 2012

biochem850

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Find the derivative of (x^2-x^-1+1)(x^3+2x-6)^7

2. Relevant equations

This is a product so I used the product and chain rule where appropriate

3. The attempt at a solution

(x^3+2x-6)[7(x^2-x^-1+1)(3x^2+2)]+[(x^3+2x-6)(2x+1/x^2)]

This is as far as I could get in my simplification. My book has an answer which is further simplified. I now that I must know combine the two bracketed factors but when I do this my answers doesn't equal my text's answer. I'm usually fine with the algebra involved in simplifying but I simply do not see where my error lies.

This is one of my first higher level math courses and I'm really trying to solidify the skills being introduced.
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

2. Feb 25, 2012

intwo

Your solution looks correct with the exception of missing exponents on two terms. Do you see where?

3. Feb 25, 2012

biochem850

I don't see the other error.

4. Feb 25, 2012

SammyS

Staff Emeritus
You're missing a power of 7 on the other factor of x3+2x-6, the one in the second term.

5. Feb 25, 2012

intwo

You should also have an exponent of 7.

$7(x^{2} - x^{-1} +1)(x^{3}+2x - 6)^{6}(3x^{2} + 2) + (x^{3} + 2x - 6)^{7}(2x + x^{-2})$

Try using the distributive property on those terms and see if you get the answer in the back of the book. I don't see any need to simplify it besides practicing algebra, but maybe some terms will cross out or something.

6. Feb 25, 2012

biochem850

I factored out the (x^3+2x-6)^6 and got:

(x^3+2x-6)^6[7(x^2-x^-1+1)(3x^2+2)]+[(x^3+2x-6)(2x+x^-2)]. Is this erroneous?

7. Feb 25, 2012

intwo

Looks good. What is the answer that your book gives? You may need to multiply those terms in the brackets.

8. Feb 25, 2012

biochem850

[(x^3+2x-6)^6/x^2]* (23x^6+39x^4-32x^3+14x^2-12x-6)

9. Feb 25, 2012

biochem850

Any suggestion? I multiplied the terms in brackets and my answers is quite different from the text's.

10. Feb 25, 2012

Dick

You are going to need to factor out an x^(-2) as well. And nobody can tell you what you did wrong until you show what you got and how you got it. And I'm going to agree with intwo. You know how to differentiate, that's clear. Spending a whole lot of time on simplification questions might not be the best use of time.