SOLUTION: Simplify the expression. State your answer using positive indices. {{{ 4a^(-1/2) (a^(5/2) - a^(-3/2)) }}} That is "4a" to the {{{-1/2}}} power "a" raised to {{{ 5/2 }}} And th

Algebra ->  Expressions-with-variables -> SOLUTION: Simplify the expression. State your answer using positive indices. {{{ 4a^(-1/2) (a^(5/2) - a^(-3/2)) }}} That is "4a" to the {{{-1/2}}} power "a" raised to {{{ 5/2 }}} And th      Log On


   

Question 824765: Simplify the expression. State your answer using positive indices.
+4a%5E%28-1%2F2%29++%28a%5E%285%2F2%29+-+a%5E%28-3%2F2%29%29+
That is "4a" to the -1%2F2 power
"a" raised to +5%2F2+
And the second "a" raised to -3%2F2
Answer by KMST(5328) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Good try!
I often have trouble showing fractional exponents too.
When in trouble, putting the fractions in quotation marks sort of makes it readable, like this:
4a%5E%28-%221%2F2%22%29++%28a%5E%225%2F2%22+-+a%5E%28-%223%2F2%22%29%29



NOTE:
I am not sure that 4a%5E2-4%2Fa%5E2 would be considered "simplified".
Simplicity is in the eye of the beholder.
Maybe
4%28a%5E2-1%2Fa%5E2%29 ,
or 4%28a%5E4-1%29%2Fa%5E2 ,
or 4%28a%5E2%2B1%29%28a%2B1%29%28a-1%29%2Fa%5E2
would be preferred.