Math Problem Statement

Given the function f, of, x, equals, minus, start fraction, 3, divided by, 4, end fraction, x, to the power 4 , plus, one fifth, x, to the power minus 4 , minus, one fifth, x, to the power 5f(x)=−43​x4+51​x−4−51​x5, find f, start superscript, prime, prime, end superscript, of, xf′′(x) in simplified form.

Solution

To find the second derivative of the function f(x)=34x4+15x415x5f(x) = -\frac{3}{4} x^4 + \frac{1}{5} x^{-4} - \frac{1}{5} x^5, we need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Find the first derivative, f(x)f'(x)

Using the power rule, which states that the derivative of xnx^n is nxn1n x^{n-1}, we differentiate each term:

  1. 34x4-\frac{3}{4} x^4 becomes 34×4x41=3x3-\frac{3}{4} \times 4 x^{4-1} = -3x^3
  2. 15x4\frac{1}{5} x^{-4} becomes 15×(4)x41=45x5\frac{1}{5} \times (-4) x^{-4-1} = -\frac{4}{5} x^{-5}
  3. 15x5-\frac{1}{5} x^5 becomes 15×5x51=x4-\frac{1}{5} \times 5 x^{5-1} = -x^4

So, the first derivative is: f(x)=3x345x5x4f'(x) = -3x^3 - \frac{4}{5} x^{-5} - x^4

Step 2: Find the second derivative, f(x)f''(x)

Now, differentiate f(x)f'(x) term by term:

  1. 3x3-3x^3 becomes 3×3x31=9x2-3 \times 3 x^{3-1} = -9x^2
  2. 45x5-\frac{4}{5} x^{-5} becomes 45×(5)x51=4x6-\frac{4}{5} \times (-5) x^{-5-1} = 4x^{-6}
  3. x4-x^4 becomes 4x41=4x3-4x^{4-1} = -4x^3

So, the second derivative is: f(x)=9x2+4x64x3f''(x) = -9x^2 + 4x^{-6} - 4x^3

Final Answer:

f(x)=9x2+4x64x3f''(x) = -9x^2 + 4x^{-6} - 4x^3

Would you like more details or have any questions?

Here are five related questions you might explore:

  1. What is the third derivative of the given function?
  2. What is the behavior of f(x)f(x) as xx \to \infty?
  3. How does the graph of f(x)f(x) change with respect to its second derivative?
  4. Can you find the critical points of f(x)f(x)?
  5. What is the concavity of f(x)f(x) based on the second derivative?

Tip: When taking higher-order derivatives, carefully apply the power rule for each term independently to avoid mistakes.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Derivatives
Power Rule

Formulas

Derivative of x^n is n x^(n-1)
Second derivative f''(x) is the derivative of f'(x)

Theorems

Power Rule for Derivatives

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12 or College Level