SOLUTION: How do you solve 2^(5/2) - 2^(3/2)? The fractions are fractional exponents (not mixed numbers). I submitted this question yesterday but I apologize it was in the wrong form (I did

Algebra ->  Exponents-negative-and-fractional -> SOLUTION: How do you solve 2^(5/2) - 2^(3/2)? The fractions are fractional exponents (not mixed numbers). I submitted this question yesterday but I apologize it was in the wrong form (I did       Log On


   

Question 637367: How do you solve 2^(5/2) - 2^(3/2)? The fractions are fractional exponents (not mixed numbers). I submitted this question yesterday but I apologize it was in the wrong form (I did not include parentheses.)The answer is supposed to be 2^3/2 according to the answer key. I need to see it worked out line by line. Thanks so much!
Found 2 solutions by ewatrrr, josmiceli:
Answer by ewatrrr(24785) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
 

Hi,

Yes, parenthesis so important

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

 2^(3/2)[2^(2/2) - 1]

 2^(3/2)[2 - 1]

 2^(3/2)

Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
+2%5E%285%2F2%29+-+2%5E%283%2F2%29+
This is the same as
+%28+2%5E%281%2F2%29%29%5E5+-+%28+2%5E%281%2F2%29%29%5E3+
Factor out ++%28+2%5E%281%2F2%29%29%5E3+
++%28+2%5E%281%2F2%29%29%5E3+%2A%28+2%5E%281%2F2%29%5E2+-+1+%29+
+%28+2%5E%281%2F2%29%29%5E3+%2A%28+2+-+1+%29+
+2%5E%283%2F2%29+
-------------
check:
+2%5E%285%2F2%29+-+2%5E%283%2F2%29+=+2%5E%283%2F2%29+
+2%5E%285%2F2%29+=+2%2A2%5E%283%2F2%29+
+2%5E%285%2F2%29+=+2%5E%282%2F2%29%2A2%5E%283%2F2%29+
+2%5E%285%2F2%29+=+2%5E%285%2F2%29+
OK