SOLUTION: My homework is online and I only have 5 chances to submit an answer. It tells if my answer is correct or not. I need to know why my answer was wrong, because I can think of no ot

Algebra ->  Algebra  -> Radicals -> SOLUTION: My homework is online and I only have 5 chances to submit an answer. It tells if my answer is correct or not. I need to know why my answer was wrong, because I can think of no ot      Log On

Ad: Algebra Solved!™: algebra software solves algebra homework problems with step-by-step help!
Ad: Algebrator™ solves your algebra problems and provides step-by-step explanations!

   

Question 157508: My homework is online and I only have 5 chances to submit an answer. It tells if my answer is correct or not. I need to know why my answer was wrong, because I can think of no other way to do it.
"Rationalize the denominator of the expression below and write in simplified form":
The equation is 20 times y to the 5th power, all over the square root of 5y.
+%2820y%5E5%29%2F%28%285y%29%5E%281%2F2%29%29+
My answer after rationalizing and simplifying was 4 times y to the 4th power times the square root of 5y.
+4y%5E4%285y%29%5E%281%2F2%29+
But it keeps coming up as wrong.
Thank you,
C
Answer by jim_thompson5910(21667) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
+%2820y%5E5%29%2F%28%285y%29%5E%281%2F2%29%29+ Start with the given expression


+%2820y%5E5%29%2F%28sqrt%285y%29%29+ Convert to radical notation


+%28%2820y%5E5%29%2F%28sqrt%285y%29%29%29%28sqrt%285y%29%2Fsqrt%285y%29%29+ Multiply both numerator and denominator by sqrt%285y%29


+%2820y%5E5%2Asqrt%285y%29%29%2F%28sqrt%285y%29sqrt%285y%29%29 Combine the fractions


+%2820y%5E5%2Asqrt%285y%29%29%2F%285y%29 Multiply sqrt%285y%29sqrt%285y%29 to get sqrt%285y%29sqrt%285y%29=sqrt%285y%2A5y%29=sqrt%28%285y%29%5E2%29=5y where y is positive


+4y%5E4%2Asqrt%285y%29 Divide 20y%5E5 by 5y to get 4y%5E4


So +%2820y%5E5%29%2F%28%285y%29%5E%281%2F2%29%29+ simplifies to +4y%5E4%2Asqrt%285y%29


Your answer is correct. The only difference between our answers is the notation. Try to enter the answer +4y%5E4%2Asqrt%285y%29 and let me know if it works out (since I'm assuming that this is what they are looking for).


Note: On the page, there should be a guide for the answer format (ie something that tells you what they want). If it is not on the page, try looking elsewhere (maybe in the syllabus?). I'd say the best option is to ask your instructor as s/he will know what to enter.