factor x^-1/2 + x^5/2
the -1/2 and 5/2 are powers
To
format this clearly, use grouping symbols:
. . . . .x^(-1/2) + x^(5/2)
You can also use the "sup" tags (from the formatting line above the message-entry box):
. . . . .x
-1/2 + x
5/2
...displays as:
. . . . .x
-1/2 + x
5/2
i dont see how anything comes out?
Nothing much does, actually...
Use
exponent rules to convert the negative-powered term to a fraction:
. . . . .
. . . . .
You might find it easy, by the way, to convert the fractional powers to radical form, while you're doing your steps:
. . . . .
. . . . .
The common denominator is the square root of x, but of course you're not supposed to have radicals in the denominator, so let's "rationalize" that first:
. . . . .
. . . . .
Now the common denominator would be x, so:
. . . . .
. . . . .
The only common factor is the radical:
. . . . .
Factor the sum of cubes, and I think you're done!
