Fractional Exponents Practice Question

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Simplifying a^(3/2) x a^(-1/2)
Question 2
Simplify the following term:

Answer

Select and check your answer...
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A. 1/a
B. a2
C. a
D. 1/a2
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Step by Step Solution 

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Step 1
Fractions are just basically numbers. Therefore the exponent laws are still applicable.

Let's use the first exponent law to simplify this term.

Now, this term becomes: 
The term to simplify using the first law of exponents
first law of exponents
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Step 2
Alright, '+' sign multiply by '-' sign gives a '-' sign.

Hence, we have:
'+' sign multiply by '-' sign gives '-' sign
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Step 3
Now, since both of the denominators are the same, we can combine these two fractions into one.

Hence, this term becomes: 
Simplifying the fractional exponents
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Step 4
Now, 2 divides by 2 gives 1. Rather than leaving the answer as a1. It's neater to write a1 as a. 
The answer is a








Clearly, the answer is C.
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