Simplifying a fraction of a fraction

[Scheckie]

I've been doing some practice problems from the net and got: 1/(x^(1/2))/2. I know the rule of a/b/c = ca/b so I would think the answer is: 2/(x^(1/2)), but the site (and another site) says that the answer is 1/(2(x^(1/2))) which is a/cb. I'm so confused as to whats going on. here's a link that shows the equation better (it can show square roots) https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=1%2F%28x^%281%2F2%29%29%2F2

 

[Deleted member 4993]

I've been doing some practice problems from the net and got: 1/(x^(1/2))/2. I know the rule of a/b/c = ca/b so I would think the answer is: 2/(x^(1/2)), but the site (and another site) says that the answer is 1/(2(x^(1/2))) which is a/cb. I'm so confused as to whats going on. here's a link that shows the equation better (it can show square roots) https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=1%2F%28x^%281%2F2%29%29%2F2

You said:

a/(b/c) = ca/b

For that equality to be true, you need those grouping symbols ().

Without the grouping symbol, the equality is:

a/b/c = a/(bc)

So the answer you got, and the answer given by the site are equivalent.

 

[Scheckie]

Thanks for the help. I got so confused 'cause I was reading it as (a/b)/c instead of a/(b/c).

 

[Scheckie]

I think I made a mistake and put the equations in the wrong order. My last reply hasn't been moderated yet, so I'm not entirely sure. I meant to say that I was always seeing the equation as a/(b/c) instead of (a/b)/c.