Problem 35

Question

Find the indefinite integral and check your result by differentiation. $$ \int \frac{1}{x^{4}} d x $$

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer
The indefinite integral of \(1/x^4\) is \(-\frac{1}{3}x^{-3} + C\), where C represents the constant of integration.
1Step 1: Apply the power rule for integration
To integrate \(1/x^4\), write the integral as \(\int x^{-4} dx\) and apply the power rule. The answer is \(x^{-4+1}/(-4+1) + C\) which simplifies to \(-\frac{1}{3}x^{-3} + C\).
2Step 2: Confirmation by differentiation
Now, check the result by differentiation using the power rule: the derivative of a constant term vanishes and the derivative of \(-\frac{1}{3}x^{-3}\) is \( \frac{1}{x^4}\). This confirms the result of the integration.