Thread: Rational exponents

1)x^1/3(x-x^2/3)
Attempt:-
(x^1/3 * x)-(x^1/3 * x^2/3)
=x^2/3-x

2) a^-1/4(a^3/8+a^3/2)
Attempt:-
answer is 2a

Are both of these attempts correct and please explain in steps if they are wrong
(Thank you,)

Originally Posted by mj.alawami

1)x^1/3(x-x^2/3)
Attempt:-
(x^1/3 * x)-(x^1/3 * x^2/3)
=x^2/3-x

note that x^(1/3) * x = x^(4/3)

2) a^-1/4(a^3/8+a^3/2)
Attempt:-
answer is 2a

a^(-1/4) * a^(3/8) + a^(-1/4) * a^(3/2) = a^(1/8) + a^(5/4)

fixed