More Algebra questions

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
What the hell is that supposed to be? An equation?

Or did you want us to simplify the expression?
 

Zap Brannigan

Golden Member
Oct 14, 2004
1,887
0
0
It says simplify and express your answers with positive exponents. Evaluate or simplify in numerical expressions.
 

dighn

Lifer
Aug 12, 2001
22,820
4
81
Originally posted by: Zap Brannigan
How did you get y to the 1st power?

(y^1/3)^3 = y^(1/3*3) = y^1

doesn't your book/notes have these rules for exponentials?


(a*b*c)^n = (a^n)*(b^n)*(c^n)

Originally posted by: Zap Brannigan
1/3 times 3/1?

yes
 

Zap Brannigan

Golden Member
Oct 14, 2004
1,887
0
0
Yes, but I like to check my work. I thought the exponents were suppoosed to be added like with the negative 1/2, or is that only done with a negative?
 

dighn

Lifer
Aug 12, 2001
22,820
4
81
Originally posted by: Zap Brannigan
Yes, but I like to check my work. I thought the exponents were suppoosed to be added like with the negative 1/2, or is that only done with a negative?

(a^m)^n = a^(m*n)

you dont add the exponents in this case
 

Zap Brannigan

Golden Member
Oct 14, 2004
1,887
0
0
Oh wait a second I think I read it wrong. No wonder. It is 125x^-3/2 right? Ok I see how I got confused, this has to be the answer.

Here comes the next problem in a sec!
 

dighn

Lifer
Aug 12, 2001
22,820
4
81
Originally posted by: Zap Brannigan
Ah, so it was'nt because it was a negative, it was becasue it was a 5x rather than an x?

ok i assumed your original problem was this:

(5*x^-1/2*y^1/3*z^4/5)^3

so basically you raise each factor (5, x^-1/2 etc) to the 3rd power so you get 5^3*(x^-1/2)^3*...
 

Zap Brannigan

Golden Member
Oct 14, 2004
1,887
0
0
Yup!

To get a positive exponent all I do is flip them if I remember correctly right? For example the negative 9/20 would then be a postive 20/9?
 

dighn

Lifer
Aug 12, 2001
22,820
4
81
Originally posted by: Zap Brannigan
Yup!

To get a positive exponent all I do is flip them if I remember correctly right? For example the negative 9/20 would then be a postive 20/9?

you don't flip the exponent if that's what you mean, but you can flip the base

eg

(5/6)^-6 = (6/5)^6