Exponents and Radicals

[adr8]

I think I got my answer correct on this one, but I got confused. The problem is 2/(5x^-3). I am thinking that my answer is (2x^3)/5, but then I think what if I have it wrong and its 2/5*x^3.

If they ask me to change an equation to exponential form and I have a positive or negative exponent in the numerator do I leave it alone or do I have to change it like this one 2/(3x^-1.2)-(x^1.2)/3. Would it be 2/3*x^1.2- 1/3*x^1.2? I seriously need help. Thanks

 

[wjm11]

The problem is 2/(5x^-3). I am thinking that my answer is (2x^3)/5, but then I think what if I have it wrong and its 2/5*x^3.

Your two answers are equivalent. They are both correct.

2/(5x^-3) = (2x^3)/5 = (2/5)(x^3)

The x^3 expression can either be written in the numerator along with the 2, or it can be written "beside" the fraction 2/5. Remember, you can think of the x^3 as a fraction: (x^3)/1. If you multiplied the two fractions together, you'd get this:

(2/5)((x^3)/1) = (2x^3)/5

Make sense?

 

[adr8]

Yes it does, thank you so much