Math  /  Algebra

Questionf(x)=x32 and g(x)=2xf(x)=x^{\frac{3}{2}} \text { and } g(x)=-2 x of 2: Find the formula for (fg)(x)\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x) and simplify your answer.

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

What is this asking? We're taking two functions, f(x)f(x) and g(x)g(x), and we need to find a *brand new* function that's f(x)f(x) divided by g(x)g(x)! Watch out! Don't forget to consider what happens when g(x)g(x) is zero – we can't divide by zero!

STEP 2

1. Define the functions
2. Build the combined function
3. Simplify the combined function

STEP 3

Alright, let's **define** our functions!
We have f(x)=x32f(x) = x^{\frac{3}{2}} and g(x)=2xg(x) = -2x.
Super easy so far!

STEP 4

Now, let's **build** our new function (fg)(x)\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x).
This just means we take f(x)f(x) and divide it by g(x)g(x).
So, we have: (fg)(x)=f(x)g(x)=x322x\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x) = \frac{f(x)}{g(x)} = \frac{x^{\frac{3}{2}}}{-2x}

STEP 5

Time to **simplify**!
Remember, xaxb=xab\frac{x^a}{x^b} = x^{a-b}.
In our case, we have xx raised to the power of 32\frac{3}{2} in the numerator and xx raised to the power of 11 in the denominator.

STEP 6

So, we **subtract** the exponents: 321=3222=12\frac{3}{2} - 1 = \frac{3}{2} - \frac{2}{2} = \frac{1}{2}.

STEP 7

This gives us: x322x=x322x1=12x32x1=12x321=12x12\frac{x^{\frac{3}{2}}}{-2x} = \frac{x^{\frac{3}{2}}}{-2 \cdot x^1} = \frac{1}{-2} \cdot \frac{x^{\frac{3}{2}}}{x^1} = \frac{1}{-2} \cdot x^{\frac{3}{2} - 1} = -\frac{1}{2} x^{\frac{1}{2}}

STEP 8

Remember we can't divide by zero, so g(x)=2xg(x) = -2x cannot be zero.
This means xx itself cannot be zero!
So, we must specify that x0x \ne 0.

STEP 9

Our simplified function is (fg)(x)=12x12\left(\frac{f}{g}\right)(x) = -\frac{1}{2} x^{\frac{1}{2}} where x0x \ne 0.

Was this helpful?

Studdy solves anything!

banner

Start learning now

Download Studdy AI Tutor now. Learn with ease and get all help you need to be successful at school.

ParentsInfluencer programContactPolicyTerms
TwitterInstagramFacebookTikTokDiscord