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The problem I found on the site was:

Let $h(x) = 4\sqrt[4]{x^5}$. Find $h'(x)$.

I got the answer $h'(x) = \frac{5x^4}{\sqrt[4]{x^{15}}}$ and the site told me it was the correct answer. However, when I looked at what the correct answer was it told me it was $5x^\frac{1}{4}$. Therefore, I would assume that $\frac{5x^4}{\sqrt[4]{x^{15}}} = 5x^\frac{1}{4}$, but I don't understand how? The only simplification I could determine is $\frac{5x^4}{x^{\frac{15}{4}}}$. Can somebody show me the step by step simplification to get from my answer to their answer?

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  • $\begingroup$ is this $h(x)=4\sqrt[4]{x^5}$? $\endgroup$
    – Dr. Sonnhard Graubner
    Nov 13, 2017 at 14:58
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    $\begingroup$ Since you're studying calculus then surely you must know that $\dfrac{x^a}{x^b} = x^{a-b}$ for nonzero $x$. What's $4 - \dfrac{15}4$? $\endgroup$
    – user307169
    Nov 13, 2017 at 14:59
  • $\begingroup$ @Dr. Sonnhard Graubner, yes $\endgroup$
    – Ramzan Chasygov
    Nov 13, 2017 at 15:00
  • $\begingroup$ @tilper, I didn't know that or must be forgot, thank you, now everything make perfectly sense) $\endgroup$
    – Ramzan Chasygov
    Nov 13, 2017 at 15:07

1 Answer 1

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Note that $h(x) = 4x^{5/4}$ so that

$$ h'(x) = 4\cdot \frac{5}{4}\cdot x^{5/4-1} = 5x^{1/4} $$

EDIT: By using the chain rule:

$$ h'(x) = \frac{4}{4\sqrt[4]{x^{5\cdot 3}}}\frac{d (x^5)}{dx} = 5 \frac{x^4}{\sqrt[4]{x^{15}}} = 5 \frac{x^4}{x^{15/4}} = 5x^{4-15/4}=5x^{1/4} $$

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  • $\begingroup$ I solve with chain rule and that why get more complex answer) $\endgroup$
    – Ramzan Chasygov
    Nov 13, 2017 at 15:13
  • $\begingroup$ @RamzanChasygov I updated my answer, hopefully it makes more sense now $\endgroup$
    – caverac
    Nov 13, 2017 at 15:29

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