Chapter 4: Problem 5
Determine these indefinite integrals. $$\int x^{1 / 4} d x$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\( \frac{4}{5} x^{5/4} + C \)
Step by step solution
01
Identify the integral form
The given integral is in the form of a power of x: \ \(\int x^{1/4} \,dx \).
02
Use the power rule for integration
The power rule for integration states that \ \(\int x^n \,dx = \frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1} + C\) for any real number \(n eq -1\). Here, \(n = \frac{1}{4}\).
03
Apply the power rule
Apply the power rule with \(n = \frac{1}{4}\). Therefore, \ \( \int x^{1/4} \,dx = \frac{x^{(1/4) + 1}}{(1/4) + 1} + C = \frac{x^{5/4}}{5/4} + C \).
04
Simplify the result
Simplify the fraction \( \frac{x^{5/4}}{5/4} \) by multiplying the numerator by the reciprocal of the denominator: \ \( \frac{x^{5/4}}{5/4} = \frac{4}{5} x^{5/4} \). Therefore, \ \( \int x^{1/4} \,dx = \frac{4}{5} x^{5/4} + C\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Power Rule for Integration
The power rule for integration is a fundamental tool in calculus. It allows us to easily find the indefinite integral of any function in the form of a power of x.
The rule states:
\[\text{If} \int x^n \, dx = \frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1} + C, \text{where } n eq -1.\]
This formula tells us that when integrating a term like x raised to a power, you need to:
The rule states:
\[\text{If} \int x^n \, dx = \frac{x^{n+1}}{n+1} + C, \text{where } n eq -1.\]
This formula tells us that when integrating a term like x raised to a power, you need to:
- Add 1 to the power of x.
- Divide by the new power.
- Remember to add the constant of integration, C, which accounts for any constant value that could have been present before differentiation.
Integral of x^n
To understand the power rule better, let's focus on the specific case of integrating functions of the form x^n.
For the integral \(\int x^n \, dx\), you're essentially reversing the differentiation process of x^n:
For the integral \(\int x^n \, dx\), you're essentially reversing the differentiation process of x^n:
- Identify the exponent n. For instance, if you have \( x^{1/4} \), then \( n = \frac{1}{4} \).
- Apply the rule: increase the exponent by 1. Here, \( (1/4) + 1 = 5/4 \).
- Divide by the new exponent: \( \int x^{1/4} \,dx = \frac{x^{5/4}}{5/4} + C \).
Simplifying Fractions in Integrals
Once you use the power rule, you often end up with a fraction. Simplifying these fractions is crucial for the final answer.
Consider the fraction \( \frac{x^{5/4}}{5/4} \):
Simplifying fractions after integrating ensures you present your final answer in its simplest and most usable form. For instance, in our exercise:
Consider the fraction \( \frac{x^{5/4}}{5/4} \):
- Understand that dividing by \( \frac{5}{4} \) is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal \( \frac{4}{5} \).
- Rewrite the expression: \( \frac{x^{5/4}}{5/4} = x^{5/4} \times \frac{4}{5} = \frac{4}{5} x^{5/4} \).
Simplifying fractions after integrating ensures you present your final answer in its simplest and most usable form. For instance, in our exercise:
- Starting from \( \int x^{1/4} \,dx = \frac{x^{5/4}}{5/4} + C \).
- We simplify it to \( \frac{4}{5} x^{5/4} + C \).