Stuck on a maths question

iloading22

3^5/2 - 3^1/2

How would you do this?
The 5/2 and 1/2 are fractional indices

Reply 1

Shaanv

Can u spot any common factors?

Reply 2

Ed5

Original post by iloading22

3^5/2 - 3^1/2

How would you do this?
The 5/2 and 1/2 are fractional indices

The general rule for a fractional power is that

x^{\frac{a}{b}}=\sqrt[b]{x}^a

Use that rule to convert the sum into more manageable terms and simplify from there!

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 3

RDKGames

Study Forum Helper

Original post by Ed5

The general rule for a fractional power is that

x^{\frac{a}{b}}=\sqrt[a]{x}^b

Please keep full solutions out of your responses. Help with hints only.

Reply 4

Student1191

Original post by RDKGames

Please keep full solutions out of your responses. Help with hints only.

Maybe that's how he wanted to help

Reply 5

RDKGames

Study Forum Helper

Original post by Reece.W.J

Maybe that's how he wanted to help

Too bad then because the situation doesn't require a last resort

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4854040#post73059680

Reply 6

Student1191

Original post by RDKGames

Too bad then because the situation doesn't require a last resort

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=4854040#post73059680

Idk what that link was for but I couldn't view it or it had been removed for some reason

Reply 7

RDKGames

Study Forum Helper

Original post by Reece.W.J

Idk what that link was for but I couldn't view it or it had been removed for some reason

Posting Guidelines thread at the very top of the forum.

Spoiler

Reply 8

Ed5

I've edited out the solution, my bad!

Reply 9

MR1999

Original post by Ed5

The general rule for a fractional power is that

x^{\frac{a}{b}}=\sqrt[a]{x}^b

Use that rule to convert the sum into more manageable terms and simplify from there!

\displaystyle x^{\frac{a}{b}} \equiv {(\sqrt[b]{x})}^a

(edited 6 years ago)

Reply 10

Ed5

Original post by Desmos

\displaystyle x^{\frac{a}{b}} \equiv {(\sqrt[b]{x})}^a

**** I literally said the rule in my head and still wrote it wrong, thanks 😅

Reply 11

OregonHooligan

3^(5/2) - 3^(1/2)

count 3^(1/2) as x
3^(5/2) is x^5

so the one above is x^5-x and we can factorize it using x
Too much hint already!

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