# Math Help - simplifying radicals and fractional indices

1. ## simplifying radicals and fractional indices

Hi there

First post here. I hope you can help!

I have a complete block on simplifying the following -

(x²-1)².√(x+1) ÷ (x-1)^1.5

I have the answer but I just can't see the method to get there. I would appreciate if someone can work through it for me.

Thanks in advance for any help

Cheers

2. I am uncertain whether I got the polynomial, but if I did so, I believe simplication is as follows:

Does not appear to be very simple, but I can't do better.

Perhaps you could provide the answer?

3. Hi logic!

Thanks for your reply... looks like i made an error there in my formula... i have edited it above.

Sorry about that... I will add the answer when i next get home

Thanks again.....

4. Originally Posted by salamander
Hi logic!

Thanks for your reply... looks like i made an error there in my formula... i have edited it above.

Sorry about that... I will add the answer when i next get home

Thanks again.....
(x²-1)².√(x+1) ÷ (x-1)^1.5

Use the difference of two squares for x^2-1

$(x^2-1)^2 = (x-1)^2(x+1)^2$

This gives us

$\frac{(x-1)^2(x+1)^2(x+1)^{0.5}}{(x-1)^{1.5}}$

$= (x+1)^{2+0.5}(x-1)^{2-1.5}$

5. Thanks e but that does not match the solution I have.

Here I will see if I can use the nifty Maths code and rewrite the question and solution.....

Q. Simplify the following giving result without fractional indices

$\frac{(x^2-1)^2(x+1)^{0.5}}{(x-1)^{1.5}}$

A. and the solution is

$(x+1)^2(x^2-1)^{0.5}$

(to be true to the question you would use the radical in place of the fractional exponent... how do you do this with maths code?)

This question has really got me stumped.

6. This looks fine.

7. Got it sussed now thanks for your help