Chapter 1: Problem 33
Simplify each exponential expression (leave only positive exponents). $$\frac{1}{n} \sqrt{n^{2}+n^{4}}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\((1 + n^2)^{1/2}\)
Step by step solution
01
Write the Expression with Fractional Exponents
Rewrite the square root in terms of exponents to make it easier to simplify. The expression becomes: \[ \frac{1}{n} (n^2 + n^4)^{1/2} \].
02
Factor out the Greatest Common Factor Inside the Square Root
Identify the greatest common factor (GCF) inside the square root. Here, the GCF is \(n^2\). Factor \(n^2\) out of the expression inside the square root: \[ (n^2 + n^4)^{1/2} = (n^2(1 + n^2))^{1/2} \].
03
Simplify the Square Root Expression
Apply the property of square roots \((ab)^{1/2} = a^{1/2} \cdot b^{1/2}\). We have: \[ (n^2(1 + n^2))^{1/2} = (n^2)^{1/2} \cdot (1 + n^2)^{1/2} \].
04
Simplify the Expression Further
Calculate the square root of \(n^2\). This yields \(n\). Thus the expression becomes: \[ n \cdot (1 + n^2)^{1/2} \].
05
Cancel Common Factors
Substitute back into the original expression: \[ \frac{1}{n} \cdot n \cdot (1 + n^2)^{1/2} \]. The \(n\) and \(\frac{1}{n}\) cancel each other, leaving: \[ (1 + n^2)^{1/2} \].
06
Ensure Positive Exponents
The expression \((1 + n^2)^{1/2}\) is already in terms of positive exponents. No further simplification is needed.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Positive Exponents
Exponents describe how many times a number, known as the base, is multiplied by itself. In expressions involving exponents, you might encounter both positive and negative exponents.
- **Positive exponents** indicate standard multiplication. For example, \( n^3 \) means \( n \times n \times n \).
- Negative exponents, such as \( n^{-2} \), mean division or reciprocal: \( \frac{1}{n^2} \).
Fractional Exponents
Fractional exponents might initially seem complicated, but they follow straightforward rules related to roots. When an exponent is a fraction, it indicates a root of the number.
- A fractional exponent like \( n^{1/2} \) corresponds to the square root: \( \sqrt{n} \).
- The general form is \( n^{a/b} \), which means the \( b \)-th root of \( n^a \).
Simplifying Expressions
Simplifying expressions is about making an expression as clear and simple as possible. It involves reducing complexity while keeping the expression mathematically correct.
- Identify and factor out the greatest common factor (GCF) to simplify terms.
- Apply exponent rules to reduce or combine terms as needed.
- Cancel out terms where possible to arrive at the simplest form.