Math Problem Statement

Simplify the expression: \left(b^2 \cdot a^{-\frac{1}{4}}\right)^{\frac{3}{4}}. Write your answer without using negative exponents. Assume that all variables are positive real numbers.

Solution

The expression provided is:

(b2a14)34\left(b^2 \cdot a^{-\frac{1}{4}}\right)^{\frac{3}{4}}

We need to simplify this expression while avoiding negative exponents.

Step-by-step simplification:

  1. Apply the outer exponent: Use the property of exponents (xm)n=xmn(x^m)^n = x^{m \cdot n} to distribute the 34\frac{3}{4} to both b2b^2 and a14a^{-\frac{1}{4}}.

    (b2a14)34=b234a1434\left(b^2 \cdot a^{-\frac{1}{4}}\right)^{\frac{3}{4}} = b^{2 \cdot \frac{3}{4}} \cdot a^{-\frac{1}{4} \cdot \frac{3}{4}}

  2. Simplify the exponents:

    • For b2b^2, the new exponent is: 234=64=322 \cdot \frac{3}{4} = \frac{6}{4} = \frac{3}{2}
    • For a14a^{-\frac{1}{4}}, the new exponent is: 1434=316-\frac{1}{4} \cdot \frac{3}{4} = -\frac{3}{16}

    Now the expression becomes: b32a316b^{\frac{3}{2}} \cdot a^{-\frac{3}{16}}

  3. Convert negative exponents: To remove negative exponents, recall that xn=1xnx^{-n} = \frac{1}{x^n}. Thus, we move a316a^{-\frac{3}{16}} to the denominator:

    b32a316\frac{b^{\frac{3}{2}}}{a^{\frac{3}{16}}}

Thus, the simplified expression is:

b32a316\frac{b^{\frac{3}{2}}}{a^{\frac{3}{16}}}

Would you like further details or clarifications?

Here are some related questions you could explore:

  1. What is the general rule for simplifying expressions with fractional exponents?
  2. How do you simplify expressions involving negative exponents?
  3. How do you handle mixed bases in an expression like this one?
  4. What are some common mistakes when simplifying exponentials?
  5. How does exponentiation behave under multiplication of terms?

Tip: When simplifying expressions with multiple variables and exponents, always apply the power rules carefully and keep track of signs to avoid mistakes.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Exponents
Simplification
Algebra

Formulas

Exponent rule: (x^m)^n = x^{m \cdot n}
Exponent rule: x^{-n} = \frac{1}{x^n}

Theorems

Power of a product rule
Negative exponent rule

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12