What is the Antiderivative of (f(x) = √(x^5 ) - 4/√(5&x))?

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Homework Help Overview

This discussion revolves around finding the antiderivative of the function f'(x) = √(x^5) - 4/√(5&x). The original poster expresses difficulty in arriving at the correct antiderivative and references a solution provided in a textbook.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the simplification of the expression involving exponents and attempt to apply antidifferentiation formulas. There are questions about the rules of exponents and how to combine terms into simpler powers of x.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to clarify the steps involved in finding the antiderivative. Some participants offer guidance on simplifying expressions, while others express confusion about specific steps and seek further clarification. There is no explicit consensus on the final form of the antiderivative yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of correctly applying exponent rules and simplifying terms to arrive at the correct answer. The original poster references a discrepancy between their result and the textbook answer, indicating a potential misunderstanding in the simplification process.

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1. This antiderivative question asks: Find f.
The equation reads: f prime of x = square root of x to the 5th power minus 4 divided by the fifth root of x. (see below)

f´ (x) = √(x^5 ) - 4/√(5&x)

The answer in the back of the book is f(x) = (2/7)X^(7/2) - 5X^(4/5) + C but I got stuck trying to work it out.


2. Here are the relevant equations:
If F is an antiderivative of f on an interval I, then the most general antiderivative of f on I is: F(x) + C

Antidifferentiation formulas:

Function = cf(x) Particular antiderivative = cF(x)
Function = f(x) + g(x) Particular antiderivative = F(x) + G(x)
Function = x^n (n not equal -1) Particular antiderivative (x^n+1)/n+1


3. My attempt at a solution reads as follows:
X to the fifth power raised to the half power minus 4 times 5X raised to the minus a half

= 〖〖(X〗^(5))〗^(1/(2 ))-4(5X^((-1)/2))

 
Last edited:
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The fifth root of x in terms of power is (x)^(1/5). So you have (x^5)^(1/2)-4/(x)^(1/5). Do you remember your rules of exponents? Can you change that into the sum of two simple powers of x?
 
EDIT: Removed at Dick's request.
 
Last edited:
Dick said:
The fifth root of x in terms of power is (x)^(1/5). So you have (x^5)^(1/2)-4/(x)^(1/5). Do you remember your rules of exponents? Can you change that into the sum of two simple powers of x?

JOhnJDC said:
EDIT: Removed at Dick's request.

Thank you for your replies Dick and JohnJDC.

Ok, I think I remember the rules of exponents, so here goes another attempt:

Question: f prime x = sq.root of x to the 5th power - 4 divided by the 5th root of x

Simplify first:

= ((x^5)^ 1/2) - 4/ (x^1/5)

= (x^5/2) - 4x^-1/5

most general antiderivative:

= [x^(5/2 + 1) divided by (5/2 + 1)] - [4x^(-1/5 + 1) divided by (-1/5 + 1) ]

= [ (x ^ 7/2) divided by (7/2) ] - [ (4x^4/5) divided by (4/5) ] + C

= (2/7x^7/2) - [(4x^4/5) divided by 4/5 ] + C

= (2/7x^7/2) - (5/4 * 4x^4/5) + C

= (2/7x^7/2) - (5x^4/5) + C
 
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01010011 said:
most general antiderivative:

= [x^(5/2 + 1) divided by (5/2 + 1)] - [4x^(-1/5 + 1) divided by (-1/5 + 1) ]

= [ (x ^ 7/2) divided by (7/2) ] - [ (4x^4/5) divided by (4/5) ] + C

Answer I got is = (2/7x^7/2) - [(4x^4/5) divided by 4/5 ] + C

However, the answer in the book is f(x) = (2/7)X^(7/2) -5X^(4/5) + C Where did I go wrong

You're there--you just need to simplify the term on the right. Consider this:
3x/(3/5) = 3x(5/3) = 5x
 
Last edited:
Thank you JOhnJDC for your help
 
JOhnJDC said:
EDIT: Removed at Dick's request.

Thanks!
 

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