how do you find the derivative of (X^2(2+x^1/2))/x^4.

I'm confused because of the exponents rules. please show me the steps in simplifying the exponents then taking the derivative.

2 answers

First lets break it up into terms that can be differentiated separately.

(x^2(2+x^1/2))/x^4
=[2x^2 + x^(5/2)]/x^4
= 2x^-2 + x^(-3/2)
Now use the x^n exponent derivative rule

df/dx = -4x^-3 -(3/2)x^(-5/2)
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