Algebra Examples

$f (x) = \frac{1}{x^{2}}$

Step 1

The function $F (x)$ can be found by evaluating the indefinite integral of the derivative $f (x)$ .

$F (x) = \int f (x) d x$

Step 2

Apply basic rules of exponents.

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Step 2.1

Move $x^{2}$ out of the denominator by raising it to the $- 1$ power.

$\int {(x^{2})}^{- 1} d x$

Step 2.2

Multiply the exponents in ${(x^{2})}^{- 1}$ .

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Step 2.2.1

Apply the power rule and multiply exponents, ${(a^{m})}^{n} = a^{m n}$ .

$\int x^{2 \cdot - 1} d x$

Step 2.2.2

Multiply $2$ by $- 1$ .

$\int x^{- 2} d x$

Step 3

By the Power Rule, the integral of $x^{- 2}$ with respect to $x$ is $- x^{- 1}$ .

$- x^{- 1} + C$

Step 4

Rewrite $- x^{- 1} + C$ as $- \frac{1}{x} + C$ .

$- \frac{1}{x} + C$

Step 5

The function $F$ if derived from the integral of the derivative of the function. This is valid by the fundamental theorem of calculus.

$F (x) = - \frac{1}{x} + C$