basic exponents

[mathNewbie]

not sure if this is posted in the right category, but how can you simplify x³/x^1/2? do you multiply the exponents? thanks!

 

[tkhunny]

Hint: 3 - ½ = 2½

 

[mathNewbie]

Hint: 3 - ½ = 2½

so x^5/2? and is that the same as (sqrt(x))⁵? Thanks!

 

[mathNewbie]

Check it yourself: assign any value to x, say 3: is 3^(5/2) = (sqrt(3))^5 ?

by golly it is! what fun this thing is that they call math!