A curve has equation \(y = f(x)\). It is given that \(f'(x) = x^{-\frac{3}{2}} + 1\) and that \(f(4) = 5\). Find \(f(x)\).
Solution
To find \(f(x)\), we need to integrate \(f'(x) = x^{-\frac{3}{2}} + 1\).
The integral of \(x^{-\frac{3}{2}}\) is \(2x^{-\frac{1}{2}}\), and the integral of \(1\) is \(x\).
Thus, \(f(x) = 2x^{\frac{1}{2}} + x + c\), where \(c\) is a constant.
We use the condition \(f(4) = 5\) to find \(c\):
\(5 = 2 \times 4^{\frac{1}{2}} + 4 + c\)
\(5 = 2 \times 2 + 4 + c\)
\(5 = 4 + 4 + c\)
\(5 = 8 + c\)
\(c = 5 - 8 = -3\)
Therefore, \(f(x) = 2x^{\frac{1}{2}} + x - 3\).
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