Question

Hello, please help me, I'm studying for a test. :)

I won't say the question because I'd like to figure it out myself or try first, but I'm looking for a simpler way to go about this.

I have to find the derivative of h(x)= (x)(x-1)^1/3

I got: h'(x)= (x-1)^1/3 + (1/3)(x)(x-1)^-2/3

I'm looking for a way to combine the two terms, but the cube roots are messing me up and I'm not completely sure how to go about it... been stuck on this for about an hour...

If any one can help me simplify h'(x) and, if you'd like, show me how, that would be amazing!

Thank you for your time.

Answer 1

Not much joy here. You could always factor out the (x-1)^-2/3 to get

(x-1)^-2/3 * (x-1 + x/3)
= (x-1)^-2/3 * (4x/3 -1)

Depending on what comes next, you may want to massage it some.

Answer 2

:D I'm so happy! Never thought to factor that out x) thank you!