Forgotten how to solve for square roots

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Homework Statement



compute f'(x) using the limit definition.

f(x) = \sqrt{x}

Homework Equations



f'(x) = \stackrel{lim}{h→0} \frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h}

The Attempt at a Solution



Plugging in the function values gives you

f'(x) = \stackrel{lim}{h→0} \frac{\sqrt{(x+h)}-\sqrt{x}}{h}

The end result is \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}} according to answer key.

I'm not sure how to go about solving. It's the square roots that are screwing me up. I have forgotten how to solve for square roots.

I've solved 6 problems within this context before coming across this one.
 
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Dustobusto said:

Homework Statement



compute f'(x) using the limit definition.

f(x) = \sqrt{x}

Homework Equations



f'(x) = \stackrel{lim}{h→0} \frac{f(x+h)-f(x)}{h}

The Attempt at a Solution



Plugging in the function values gives you

f'(x) = \stackrel{lim}{h→0} \frac{\sqrt{(x+h)}-\sqrt{x}}{h}

The end result is \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x}} according to answer key.

I'm not sure how to go about solving. It's the square roots that are screwing me up. I have forgotten how to solve for square roots.

I've solved 6 problems within this context before coming across this one.

Try multiplying by the conjugate over itself. IOW, multiply by
$$ \frac{\sqrt{x + h} + \sqrt{x}}{\sqrt{x + h} + \sqrt{x}}$$
 
Understood. I got the answer now. Ty
 
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
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