Question

Please help me!
Simplify by using radical. Rationalize denominators.
2a^-1/2

Answer 1

why on earth is using radicals called "simplifying"?? please ask your math teacher
but
\[\large 2a^{-\frac{1}{2}}=\frac{2}{\sqrt{a}}\]

Answer 2

I do cyber school so I honestly have no idea.

Answer 3

the exponent \(-\frac{1}{2}\) has a minus sign, which means take the reciprocal
a numerator of 1, which is the power, and a denominator oif 2, which means the square root

Answer 4

that is why
\[\large a^{-\frac{1}{2}}=\frac{1}{\sqrt{a}}\]

Answer 5

This is what it gives me.

Answer 6

if you want to get rid of the radical in the denominator you can write it as
\[\frac{2\sqrt{a}}{a}\]

Answer 7

I think that was the answer. Thank you!

Answer 8

yw

Answer 9

@haleyoliviaaa do you understand how he got there?