Math Is Fun Forum

EbenezerSon

Member

Registered: 2013-07-04

Posts: 554

Re: Simplify the following:

Is the negative one answer correct?
Please confirm

The book has only 2 as the answer

---

I know only one thing - that is that I know nothing

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Simplify the following:

2 is the the only real solution.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

EbenezerSon

Member

Registered: 2013-07-04

Posts: 554

Re: Simplify the following:

Thank you Bobbym.

Last but not the least, Please, I want you to clearly solve this apparent headache for me;

Solve for X.
5X^2/3 = 80

Thank you Bobbym!

---

I know only one thing - that is that I know nothing

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Simplify the following:

Divide both sides by 5.

Raise both sides to the 3 / 2 power.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

EbenezerSon

Member

Registered: 2013-07-04

Posts: 554

Re: Simplify the following:

Divide both sides by 5.

Raise both sides to the 3 / 2 power > [why didn't you say 2/3 power?].

Please,  could you break it down a little bit for me to know how 16^2/3 finally gave you 64?

Last edited by EbenezerSon (2014-08-29 09:17:49)

---

I know only one thing - that is that I know nothing

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Simplify the following:

Because I latexed it up incorrectly!

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

EbenezerSon

Member

Registered: 2013-07-04

Posts: 554

Re: Simplify the following:

Because I latexed it up incorrectly!

Originally,  the power was 2/3, how did it became 3/2 as in 16^3/2?

---

I know only one thing - that is that I know nothing

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Simplify the following:

When we raise an expression to a power we multiply the powers.

So to get x^(2/3) = x we multiply it by its inverse (2/3)(3/2) = 1

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

EbenezerSon

Member

Registered: 2013-07-04

Posts: 554

Re: Simplify the following:

Thank you Bobby, I have digested that. But I am wondering why you turned the 2/3 on the 16  to be 3/2. I was thinking it should be;            x = 16^2/3

What do you say?

---

I know only one thing - that is that I know nothing

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Simplify the following:

Do you mean here?

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

EbenezerSon

Member

Registered: 2013-07-04

Posts: 554

Re: Simplify the following:

I have got it now! thank you

---

I know only one thing - that is that I know nothing

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Simplify the following:

Do you see why you raise both sides up to the 3 / 2 power?

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

EbenezerSon

Member

Registered: 2013-07-04

Posts: 554

Re: Simplify the following:

Please, is the following the same?

x^2 and x^1/2

---

I know only one thing - that is that I know nothing

EbenezerSon

Member

Registered: 2013-07-04

Posts: 554

Re: Simplify the following:

Do you see why you raise both sides up to the 3 / 2 power?

Yes,  I have learnt that! Thanks

---

I know only one thing - that is that I know nothing

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Simplify the following:

Very good! Anything else?

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

EbenezerSon

Member

Registered: 2013-07-04

Posts: 554

Re: Simplify the following:

Please,  answer me at #388

---

I know only one thing - that is that I know nothing

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Simplify the following:

Please, is the following the same?

x^2 and x^1/2

No , they are not the same. x^2 says x * x while x^(1/2) =√x

For numbers it will be easier to see:

4^2 = 4 x 4 = 16

4^(1/2) = √4 = 2

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

EbenezerSon

Member

Registered: 2013-07-04

Posts: 554

Re: Simplify the following:

Then the book says the square root of M is the same as m^1/2. What do you say?

---

I know only one thing - that is that I know nothing

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Simplify the following:

I would agree, but remember the square root has a precise meaning. It only takes the positive answer.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

EbenezerSon

Member

Registered: 2013-07-04

Posts: 554

Re: Simplify the following:

Then please what would be the results of this;

x^1/2 = 4

---

I know only one thing - that is that I know nothing

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Simplify the following:

Since when we are solving an equation like this we are always trying to get an x all by itself on one side.

We know that 2 x (1/2) = 1 so if we square both sides

we are done.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

EbenezerSon

Member

Registered: 2013-07-04

Posts: 554

Re: Simplify the following:

I think I would be correct to say;

x = 4^2/1 = 2^4/1 = 16
What do you say?

This is how I would do it

Last edited by EbenezerSon (2014-08-30 04:02:18)

---

I know only one thing - that is that I know nothing

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Simplify the following:

That is the same thing but it is bit less clear. Although you understand it remember that math is language. Soon your mind will begin to utilize the rules of this language and you will speak it better and better. But because it is a language you must speak it to other people. Not only must you understand it they must understand it when you speak it to them.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

EbenezerSon

Member

Registered: 2013-07-04

Posts: 554

Re: Simplify the following:

Thank you Bobbym!!!

---

I know only one thing - that is that I know nothing

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Simplify the following:

You are welcome.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.