algebra help?

Question

what do you do with negative fractional exponents??
for example (2+x)^-1/2

Answer 1

it becomes 1/((2+x)^(1/2))

Answer 2

You can change negative exponents to positive ones by taking the reciprocal. It doesn't matter if the exponent is an integer or not.

(2+x)^(-1/2) = 1/{(2+x)^(1/2)}

Answer 3

You can move it to the denominator. This will make the exponent positive.
(2+x)^(-1/2)
= 1 / (2+x)^(1/2)
When something is raised to the 1/2 power, that means you are taking the square root.
1 / (2+x)^(1/2)
= 1 / sqrt(2+x)

Answer 4

*The key is to always change the expression into a fraction > place it over 1 >

[(2+x)/1]^ -1/2

First: make the exponent positive > flip the fraction:

[(1/2+x)]^ 1/2

Sec: raise the numerator and denominator to the power of 1/2 >

(1^1/2)/(2+x)^1/2

1/(2+x)^1/2

Third: rewrite 1/2 as a square root with a radical sign >

1/ V`(2+x)

P.S. V` represents a radical sign

Answer 5

The negative exponent mean find the reciprocal and fraction means you are using radicals. Your example is 1/(sqrt(2+x))

Answer 6

It means the reciprocal and in this case it is 1/(2+x)^1/2

Answer 7

1/(2+x)^1/2
put 2+x in demoninator so exponent becomes positive

Answer 8

(2+x)^ (-1/2) = 1 / (2+x)^(1/2)=1/(sqrt(2+x))