Posted by Tom Lahay on November 12, 2002 at 21:53:36:
In Reply to: Please check.... posted by Subhotosh Khan on November 12, 2002 at 09:42:28:
: : I have a problem when simplifying one of my answers.
: : y'=(1-x^3) * x - 3x^2 * SQRT(1+x^2)
: : -----------
: : SQRT(1+x^3)
: : Simplifying, my book states the first step as:
: : x
: : y' = ---------- [1 - x^3 - 3x(1+x^2)]
: : SQRT(1+x^2)
: :
: : I see that the result is one less power of 3x and the next expression is no longer square rooted but I am unsure why. I am missing some small algebra trick that I have forgotten over time and my only hypothesis is:
: : Because SQRT(1+x^2) = (1+x^2)^1/2
: : If I mutiply the power of -3x^2 by the power of the expression (1+x^2)^1/2 then it may follow that:
: : -3x(1+x^2) since 2*1/2=1
: : Is it because 1/2 is a common factor or what? Any proofs, explanations would be appreciated.
: : Then next step makes complete sense to me but I would like the full picture.
: : Thanks all.
: : Tom L
: ************************************
: you wrote:
: y'=(1-x^3)*x/[SQRT(1+x^3)]- 3x^2*SQRT(1+x^2)..(1)
:
:
: Simplifying, my book states the first step as:
:
: y' = x/[SQRT(1+x^2)]* [1 - x^3 - 3x(1+x^2)]....(2)
: Now the problem
: In (1) you have [sqrt(1+x^3)] and (1-x^3). Can you check and confirm those terms?
: I think the denominator of the first term in (1) should be [sqrt(1+x^2)].
Got it! Thanks.