# Simplify this equation w/ fractional expnents

• Nov 26th 2009, 05:56 AM
nandokommando
Simplify this equation w/ fractional expnents
I'm working on an induction problem, but can't show my work for simplifying this equation:

1 - (1/2)^k + 1/2^(k+1) --------> Simplify ---------> 1 - (1/2)^(k + 1)

I'm just assuming that's what it simplifys to. Can someone show me the work for this with the right answer if it's wrong.

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• Nov 26th 2009, 06:36 AM
Raoh
$1-\left (\left (\frac{1}{2} \right )^{k}-\left (\frac{1}{2} \right )^{k+1} \right )=1-\left ( \frac{1}{2} \right )^{k+1}$,you simplified right.
• Nov 26th 2009, 07:17 AM
Raoh
$1-\left (\left (\frac{1}{2} \right )^{k}-\left (\frac{1}{2} \right )^{k+1} \right )$ $=1- \left (\left (\frac{1}{2} \right )^{k}-\left (\frac{1}{2} \right )^k\left ( \frac{1}{2} \right ) \right )$ $=1-\left ( \frac{1}{2} \right )^k\left ( 1-\frac{1}{2} \right )$ $=1-\left ( \frac{1}{2} \right )\left ( \frac{1}{2} \right )^k$ $=1-\left ( \frac{1}{2} \right )^{k+1}$
• Nov 26th 2009, 07:44 AM
$1-\left(\frac12\right)^k+\left(\frac12\right)^{k+1}$
$=1-2\times\left(\frac12\right)^{k+1}+1\times\left(\fr ac12\right)^{k+1}$
$=1-\left(\frac12\right)^{k+1}$