SOLUTION: I need to simplify an expression using variables. Taking online math and it's very difficult for me to figure out some problems. 9^-1 9^1/2 These are right beside each other,

Algebra ->  Expressions-with-variables -> SOLUTION: I need to simplify an expression using variables. Taking online math and it's very difficult for me to figure out some problems. 9^-1 9^1/2 These are right beside each other,      Log On


   

Question 274530: I need to simplify an expression using variables. Taking online math and it's very difficult for me to figure out some problems.
9^-1 9^1/2
These are right beside each other, so I assume they will be multiplied.
All examples in our resources refers to exponents as fractions and not whole numbers.
Thank you
Answer by Theo(13342) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
9^(-1) = 1/9

9^(1/2) = sqrt(9)

9^(-1) * 9^(1/2) becomes (1/9) * sqrt(9) becomes (1/9) * 3 becomes 3/9 becomes 1/3.

your answer should be 1/3.

you can use your calculator to confirm from the original equation.

9^(-1) comes out to be .111111111

9^(1/2) comes out to be 3

.11111111 * 3 = .33333333 which is the same as 1/3.

the basic laws of exponents are this:

x%5E%281%2Fn%29+=+root%28n%2Cx%29 (the numerator in the exponent is 1)

x%5E%28-n%29+=+1%2Fx%5En

x%5E%28k%2Fn%29+=+%28root%28n%2Cx%29%29%5Ek+=+root%28n%2Cx%5Ek%29 (the numerator in the exponent is k)