Deriving a root and a fraction

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around deriving the function y = √(2x^4) - (5/(3x^2)). Participants are exploring the differentiation of a root and a fraction within the context of calculus.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss simplifying the expression before differentiation, with attempts to break down the square root and the fraction. There are questions about the correct simplification of terms and the application of exponent rules.

Discussion Status

Some participants are providing guidance on simplification techniques, while others are sharing their attempts and reflecting on their reasoning. There is an ongoing exploration of the correct forms of the expressions involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating through potential misunderstandings regarding simplification and differentiation rules, particularly with roots and negative exponents. There is a mention of LaTeX formatting challenges as well.

Twinflower
Messages
109
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Derive [itex]y= \sqrt(2x^4) - \frac{5}{3x^2}[/itex]



The Attempt at a Solution



I am still at the first part of the function (the root):
First I tried to derive inside the root like this:
[tex]\sqrt(2x^4) = \sqrt(8x^3) = 2 \sqrt(2) \times \sqrt(x^3) = \sqrt(2) \times x^2[/tex]

Unfortunately, the first part of the function is supposed to be 2\sqrt(2)x.

The second part I am nowhere close yet.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi Twinflower! :smile:

Before you take the derivative, you should first try to simplify your expression.

Did you know that [itex]\sqrt {(2x)} = \sqrt 2 \sqrt x[/itex]?
And that [itex]\sqrt {(x^4)} = x^2[/itex]?
 
Last edited:
Hi, thanks for your reply.

I tried what you are suggesting, but I somehow ended up with [itex]\sqrt(x^4) = x^3[/itex] since [itex]\sqrt(x^2) = x^1 = x[/itex]

Second attempt:

[tex]\sqrt(2x^4)[/tex]
[tex]\sqrt(2) \times \sqrt(x^4)[/tex]
[tex]\sqrt(2) \times x^2[/tex]
[tex]2\times \sqrt(2) \times x[/tex]
[tex]2 x[/tex]

hm... didn't go quite well now either?
 
Actually, your second attempt is looking quite well. :)But how did you get from:

[itex]2\times \sqrt(2) \times x[/itex]

to

[itex]2 x[/itex]?
 
Oh, my bad.
Brain-fart.

For a second I though that 2 times sqrt2 equals 2.

The final answer should ofcourse be
[tex]2 \times \sqrt(2) \times x[/tex]
 
Thank you by the way.

Now I need a push in the right direction regarding the fraction :)
 
Twinflower said:
Thank you by the way.

Now I need a push in the right direction regarding the fraction :)

You're welcome! :smile:For the fraction you need to know that for instance [itex]{1 \over x^5} = x^{-5}[/itex].

Oh, and also that [itex]{2 \over 3x} = {2\over 3} \times {1 \over x}[/itex].
 
Ah, of course!
Gimme a minute, and I'll figure that one out as well :)
 
Ok, here we go:


[tex]- \frac{5}{3x^2}[/tex]
[tex]- \frac{5}{3} \times \frac{1}{x^2}[/tex]
[tex]- \frac{5}{3} \times x^{-2}[/tex]
[tex]- \frac{5}{3} \times -2 \times x^{-3}[/tex]
[tex]\frac{10}{3} \times x^{-3}[/tex]
[tex]\frac{10\times x^{-3}}{3}[/tex]
 
  • #10
Thanks a bunch! :)
 
  • #11
Hey! Your minute is up! :wink:

Edit: errrr... I guess you were just in time! :rolleyes:
 
  • #12
yeye, I needed to write it down in my exercise paper and THEN i had to write it all in LaTeX (which is still quite messy to me)

:)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 105 ·
4
Replies
105
Views
11K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K