Simplification

**jon80** · September 12th 2011, 11:38 AM

Simplifying

2x^1/2 = 6y^2
2x = (6y^6)^2
2x = 36y^12

My math teacher simplified it to x = 18y^12

Can you clarify?

**Quacky** · September 12th 2011, 12:06 PM

Edit: Hang on a second, I've noticed something.

Is the expression $2x^{\frac{1}{2}}$ or $(2x)^{\frac{1}{2}}$ ?

**jon80** · September 12th 2011, 12:09 PM

Thanks for clarifying, by the way how do I start writing equations the way you do? What are the shortcuts for the neatly displayed formulae?

**Quacky** · September 12th 2011, 12:12 PM

Sorry about that, I had to edit my post. See this thread if you're interested in learning to write in LaTex.

**Plato** · September 12th 2011, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by jon80

how do I start writing equations the way you do? What are the shortcuts for the neatly displayed formulae?

You can use LaTeX tags

[tex]\sqrt{2x}=6y^2 [/tex] gives $\sqrt{2x}=6y^2$

Thread: Simplification