# simplify exponents

• May 14th 2008, 12:49 AM
Graeme
simplify exponents
2N $
^{\frac{2}{5}}
$
h $
^{\frac{3}{5}}
$

do I just multiply 2 X N then take the answer and raise to the power of 2/5
Or do I raise N to the power of 2/5 and then X by 2
• May 14th 2008, 01:33 AM
Reckoner
Quote:

Originally Posted by Graeme
2N $
^{\frac{2}{5}}
$
h $
^{\frac{3}{5}}
$

do I just multiply 2 X N then take the answer and raise to the power of 2/5
Or do I raise N to the power of 2/5 and then X by 2

Do you mean $2N^{\frac25}h^{\frac35}$? If so, exponentiation takes precedence over multiplication, so you have to take $N$ to the $\frac25$ before you multiply by two, unless the problem is written with the $2N$ in parentheses.
• May 14th 2008, 01:38 AM
Graeme
Thanks
So if I raise N to the power of 2/5 then x 2 =answer a
Then h to the power 3/5 =answer b
then a x b does that look correct
• May 14th 2008, 01:41 AM
Reckoner
Quote:

Originally Posted by Graeme
Thanks
So if I raise N to the power of 2/5 then x 2 =answer a
Then h to the power 3/5 =answer b
then a x b does that look correct

Yes, this is the correct order.