SOLUTION: Please help me figure this out - step-by-step. 4y^-1/2 = 16 Thanks.

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Question 149444: Please help me figure this out - step-by-step.
4y^-1/2 = 16
Thanks.
Found 2 solutions by Fombitz, jim_thompson5910:
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
4%2Ay%5E%28-1%2F2%29=16
4%2Ay%5E%28-1%2F2%29%2F4=16%2F4 Divide both sides by 4.
y%5E%28-1%2F2%29=4 Simplify.
1%2Fy%5E%281%2F2%29=4Use the identity x%5E%28-a%29=1%2Fx%5Ea
Also, use sqrt%28y%29=y%5E%281%2F2%29 to simplify.
1%2Fsqrt%28y%29=4
%281%2Fsqrt%28y%29%29%2Asqrt%28y%29=4%2Asqrt%28y%29 Multiply both sides by sqrt%28y%29
1=4%2Asqrt%28y%29%29
sqrt%28y%29=1%2F4Divide both sides by 4.
y=1%2F16 Square both sides.

Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Start with the given equation.



Rewrite as


Multiply both sides by


Divide both sides by 16.


Reduce.


Rearrange the equation.


Convert from rational notation to radical notation.


Square both sides.


Square 1%2F4 to get 1%2F16


So the answer is