# Rational exponents problem

• November 30th 2009, 07:44 AM
Alienis Back
Rational exponents problem
I am supposed to factor
$3(x-2)^{\frac{1}{2}}$ from $12(x-2)^{\frac{3}{2}}-9(x-2)^{\frac{1}{2}}$

and my procedure was
$12(x-2)^{\frac{3}{2}}-9(x-2)^{\frac{1}{2}}$

$12(x-2)^{\frac{1}{2}+\frac{2}{2}}-9(x-2)^{\frac{1}{2}}$

$3(x-2)^{\frac{1}{2}}[4(x-2)-3]$

I checked my result but the book I am working with says the answer should be $3(x-2)^{\frac{1}{2}}(4x-11)$

Am I doing something wrong?? Please let me know.
• November 30th 2009, 08:28 AM
Raoh
Quote:

Originally Posted by Alienis Back
I am supposed to factor
$3(x-2)^{\frac{1}{2}}$ from $12(x-2)^{\frac{3}{2}}-9(x-2)^{\frac{1}{2}}$

and my procedure was
$12(x-2)^{\frac{3}{2}}-9(x-2)^{\frac{1}{2}}$

$12(x-2)^{\frac{1}{2}+\frac{2}{2}}-9(x-2)^{\frac{1}{2}}$

$3(x-2)^{\frac{1}{2}}[4(x-2)-3]$

I checked my result but the book I am working with says the answer should be $3(x-2)^{\frac{1}{2}}(4x-11)$

Am I doing something wrong?? Please let me know.

your not doing anything wrong(Rofl), $4(x-2)-3=4x-11$