Chapter 10: Problem 61
Multiply. $$ y^{1 / 2}\left(y^{1 / 2}-y^{2 / 3}\right) $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The expression simplifies to \( y - y^{7/6} \).
Step by step solution
01
Distribute the Multiplication
To multiply the expression \( y^{1/2}(y^{1/2} - y^{2/3}) \), begin by distributing \( y^{1/2} \) across each term in the parenthesis. This gives you two separate multiplications to perform: \( y^{1/2} imes y^{1/2} \) and \( y^{1/2} imes (-y^{2/3}) \).
02
Multiply the First Pair of Terms
In the multiplication \( y^{1/2} imes y^{1/2} \), use the property of exponents that states \( a^m imes a^n = a^{m+n} \). Therefore, \( y^{1/2} imes y^{1/2} = y^{1/2 + 1/2} = y^1 \). So the result of this multiplication is \( y \).
03
Multiply the Second Pair of Terms
Next, multiply \( y^{1/2} imes (-y^{2/3}) \). Again, use the property of exponents: \( y^{1/2} imes y^{2/3} = y^{1/2 + 2/3} \). To add the exponents, first convert them to have a common denominator. \( 1/2 = 3/6 \) and \( 2/3 = 4/6 \). Therefore, \( 1/2 + 2/3 = 3/6 + 4/6 = 7/6 \). Thus, the result of this multiplication is \(-y^{7/6} \).
04
Combine the Results
Now, combine the results of the two products. The expression after multiplication is \( y - y^{7/6} \). This is written as \( y - y^{7/6} \).
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Distributive Property
The distributive property is a fundamental principle in mathematics that allows us to simplify multiplication involving addition or subtraction within parentheses.
It states that:
Here’s how it works:
It states that:
- Multiplying a single term by each term within a parenthesis can be expressed as multiplying the term with each term inside and then adding or subtracting the results.
Here’s how it works:
- Distribute \( y^{1/2} \) to \( y^{1/2} \).
- Distribute \( y^{1/2} \) to \(-y^{2/3} \).
Properties of Exponents
The properties of exponents make working with exponents straightforward and predictable. Let's dive into two essential rules:
- Product of Powers: When multiplying terms with the same base, you add the exponents. This is shown as: \( a^m \times a^n = a^{m+n} \).
- Negative Exponents: A negative exponent indicates the reciprocal of that base raised to the positive of the exponent. Though not involved in this problem, it's a good property to remember.
- \( 1/2 + 1/2 = 1 \), resulting in \( y^1 \).
- \( 3/6 + 4/6 = 7/6 \), giving us \( y^{7/6} \).
Fractional Exponents
Fractional exponents can seem intimidating at first, but they're quite manageable once you understand them.
These represent roots:
- A fractional exponent like \( y^{1/2} \) denotes a root, specifically a square root for exponents of \( 1/2 \). So, \( y^{1/2} = \sqrt{y} \).
- More generally, \( y^{a/b} \) represents the \( b \)-th root of \( y^a \), which can also be expressed as \((\sqrt[b]{y})^a \).
These represent roots:
- \( y^{1/2} \) is the square root,
- \( y^{2/3} \) suggests the cube root of \( y \) squared.