Since the derivative of x^-1 is -x^-2, is it correct to then work it further to get the "best answer" as

1/-sqrt x

and then rationalize the denominator by multiplying by 1 as in

(1/-sqrt x) * (-Sqrt x/-Sqrt X)

to get

-Sqrt x / x ???

Question

Since the derivative of x^-1 is -x^-2, is it correct to  then work it further to get the "best answer" as

1/-sqrt x

and then rationalize the denominator by multiplying by 1 as in

(1/-sqrt x) * (-Sqrt x/-Sqrt X)

to get

-Sqrt x / x  ???

anonymous · Answer

that probably depends on your teacher?  Rationalizing it is certainly not incorrect.

anonymous · Answer

My instructor counts off for math grammar I never heard of before.

anonymous · Answer

ask him/her then to be sure.  In my class I could leave it as x^-1

anonymous · Answer

This is my first negative exponent in a derivative.  Wondering if it needs to be left as it comes out of the rule, or further refined to rationalized denominator form.

anonymous · Answer

I've differentiated TWICE!  Yeah!!!

anonymous · Answer

In my textbook they leave it as a negative exponent, but that might be because of space considerations.  Seriously, just ask your teacher.

anonymous · Answer

Thanks!

anonymous · Answer

and congratulations!!!