Question

Need help with rational exponents. First time using this so hopefully I can find someone to help me

Answer 1

Hint: Post the problem that you are working on

Answer 2

625^-3/4 ... I am trying to simplify this expression to fraction form with no decimals. so this is as far as ive got. = 1 / 625^3/4 and then = 1/(625^1/4)^-3

Answer 3

I go futher and I am getting 1/25^2 ... so I do that and I am getting 1/625 but that does not seem right

Answer 4

Someone just posted a very similar problem

Answer 5

I am trying to help you but something is wrong with latex

Answer 6

JB, your first step to using the inversse rule is right

Answer 7

1 / 625^3/4 is right, but your steps after that are not.

Answer 8

I just get more confused as I go on. My answer is supposed to be in fraction form with no decimals ... but 1/625 just doesn't make sense to me? Like why did I even bother getting the square root 25 in there? So lost...

Answer 9

When you have fractions as exponents, remember POWER over ROOT

Answer 10

See I KNOW I'm doing it wrong, but i don't why WHY or WHAT I'm doing wrong. I am taking an online class and there is NO explanation of anything :(

Answer 11

It's ok, don't panic. Here's an example. If you have \[5^{\frac{ 2 }{ 3 }}\]
that's the same as \[\sqrt[3]{5^{2}}\]

Answer 12

but when you bring in negatives, isnt it different?
im looking at an example here but like, it keeps out SO MANY STEPS so I cant even figure out what im doing :(

Answer 13

\(\large 625^{-3/4} = \sqrt[4]{625^{-3}} = \sqrt[4]{\frac{1}{625^{3}}} = \sqrt[4]{\frac{1}{25^{2 \dot\ 3}}} = \sqrt[4]{\frac{1}{25^{6 }}} \\ = \sqrt[4]{\frac{1}{25^{4 } 25^{2}}} = \sqrt[4]{\frac{1}{25^{4 }}} \dot\ \sqrt[4]{\frac{1}{25^{2 }}}\)

Answer 14

So I've gotten that far. Now, you'll just need to simplify that

Answer 15

Which if you do you'll get

\(\large\frac{\sqrt[4]{1}}{\sqrt[4]{25^4}} \dot\ \frac{\sqrt[4]{1}}{\sqrt[4]{25^2}}\)

Answer 16

What does the dot mean? Multiplication?

Answer 17

Yes, OBVIOUSLY

Answer 18

You don't have to be rude.

Answer 19

Now that simplifies to

\(\large\frac{1}{25} \dot\ \frac{1}{25^{2/4}}\)

Answer 20

And then that simplifies further to

\(\frac{1}{5^2} \dot\ \frac{1}{25^{1/2}}\) Which is the same as \(\frac{1}{5^2} \dot\ \frac{1}{\sqrt{25}}\)

Answer 21

Which becomes

\(\large \frac{1}{5^2} \dot\ \frac{1}{5} = \frac{1}{5^3} \) or \(\frac{1}{125}\)

Answer 22

Clearly whoever made you do this wanted to torture you to death.

Answer 23

I have to go back to highschool to upgrade classes in order to go to university. Have NO idea what I'm doing, and this whole online-learning "im not gunna show you any steps" thing is not working very well, so I've resorted to other help like this website

Answer 24

Is there any other way to do it that isnt so ... advanced? I recall there being multiple ways to solve

Answer 25

lol, I thought that was the easy way. You'd have to show me the simpler way.

Answer 26

It just looks confusing to me because I have never done any of this before and if I have, I forget everything

Answer 27

Here is an example I see in my textbook. I was following this template when doing the above question:

Answer 28

I do not know how to do all the fancy formatting like you did, so hope this will still work

Answer 29

125^-2/3 = (125^1/3)^-2 = (5)^-2 = 1/5^2 = 1/25

Answer 30

Book examples are always easier then the problem sets given to you in textbooks.

Answer 31

I just feel like my question is so similar to that, so when I follow that template, why is it wrong and different than your answer?

Answer 32

I did exact that for my equation, just substituted my numbers yet my answer is wrong and I don't lnow why

Answer 33

Because I changed the fraction to square root, which is more comfortable for me.

Answer 34

You need to be able to interpret both ways if you want to survive.

Answer 35

So there are two ways to do it ... but either way, should get the same answer no? Whjich is my question, why are they different?

Answer 36

are you preparing for an exam? You can't use calculators?

Answer 37

No, I am working on key questions to help me understand

Answer 38

Either way, using a calculator won;t help if i dont even know what im doing to begin with

Answer 39

http://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra/exponents-radicals

May this will help

Answer 40

btw, I think you know more than you think. A positive attitude can go a long way. Hang in there! If my bamboo tablet was working, I could probably give you a more simple answer...

Answer 41

The other answer was so complex... it's only made me more confused :( Thank you for believing in me