Need help multiplying/simplifying the following...

http://imageshack.us/a/img819/1497/simplify.jpg

Question

Need help multiplying/simplifying the following...

http://imageshack.us/a/img819/1497/simplify.jpg

cwrw238 · Answer

= 3 x^3/2 ( x^1/2 - 3x^-1/2)

= 3x^(3/2 + 1/2)  -  9x(3/2 - 1/2)

= 3x^2 - 9x

cwrw238 · Answer

you can now factor this

= 3x(x - 3)

anonymous · Answer

ah I see, ...no wonder I kept getting it wrong...I thought when you there is say x^3/2 outside of the parenthesis that it multiplied to the exponents inside??

cwrw238 · Answer

no on multiplying  terms like x^2 and x^3  you add the exponents

anonymous · Answer

ah, is it only when you are raising say (x^2)^4 that you multiply the exponents?

cwrw238 · Answer

its when you have something like (x^3)^2  that you multiply them

cwrw238 · Answer

yes

anonymous · Answer

ah okay got yah :D, THANK YOU!!

cwrw238 · Answer

yw