Math Problem Statement

Simplify the expression \( \frac{\frac{1}{\sqrt{x+h}} - \frac{1}{\sqrt{x}}}{h} \).

Solution

The given expression is:

1x+h1xh.\frac{\frac{1}{\sqrt{x+h}} - \frac{1}{\sqrt{x}}}{h}.

Let us simplify this step by step:


Step 1: Simplify the numerator

The numerator is:

1x+h1x.\frac{1}{\sqrt{x+h}} - \frac{1}{\sqrt{x}}.

To simplify, find the common denominator:

Common denominator: x+hx.\text{Common denominator: } \sqrt{x+h} \cdot \sqrt{x}.

So the numerator becomes:

xx+hx+hx.\frac{\sqrt{x} - \sqrt{x+h}}{\sqrt{x+h} \cdot \sqrt{x}}.


Step 2: Write the entire expression

Now the entire fraction becomes:

xx+hx+hxh.\frac{\frac{\sqrt{x} - \sqrt{x+h}}{\sqrt{x+h} \cdot \sqrt{x}}}{h}.

This can be rewritten as:

xx+hhx+hx.\frac{\sqrt{x} - \sqrt{x+h}}{h \cdot \sqrt{x+h} \cdot \sqrt{x}}.


Step 3: Rationalize the numerator

To simplify further, rationalize the numerator xx+h\sqrt{x} - \sqrt{x+h} by multiplying and dividing by its conjugate, x+x+h\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{x+h}. This gives:

xx+h=(xx+h)(x+x+h)x+x+h.\sqrt{x} - \sqrt{x+h} = \frac{(\sqrt{x} - \sqrt{x+h})(\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{x+h})}{\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{x+h}}.

The numerator simplifies to:

(x)2(x+h)2=x(x+h)=h.(\sqrt{x})^2 - (\sqrt{x+h})^2 = x - (x + h) = -h.

Thus, the numerator becomes:

hx+x+h.\frac{-h}{\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{x+h}}.


Step 4: Substitute back

The entire expression now becomes:

hx+x+hhx+hx.\frac{\frac{-h}{\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{x+h}}}{h \cdot \sqrt{x+h} \cdot \sqrt{x}}.

Cancel hh from the numerator and denominator:

1(x+x+h)x+hx.\frac{-1}{(\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{x+h}) \cdot \sqrt{x+h} \cdot \sqrt{x}}.


Final Simplified Expression:

1xx+h(x+x+h).\boxed{-\frac{1}{\sqrt{x} \cdot \sqrt{x+h} \cdot (\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{x+h})}}.

Would you like further clarification or details about any step?


Related Questions:

  1. What is the importance of rationalizing the numerator in such expressions?
  2. How does this simplification apply to the concept of limits in calculus?
  3. Can this expression be used to calculate a derivative? If so, how?
  4. What happens if h0h \to 0 in the simplified expression?
  5. How would the process change if the original numerator was 1/x+h+1/x1/\sqrt{x+h} + 1/\sqrt{x}?

Tip:

When simplifying fractions with radicals, always check for opportunities to rationalize either the numerator or denominator to make further simplification possible.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Simplification of rational expressions
Radicals and conjugates
Rationalization
Basic algebra

Formulas

Difference of squares: \((a - b)(a + b) = a^2 - b^2\)
Rationalization of radicals

Theorems

Properties of radicals and exponents

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12