Math Problem Statement

Simplify the expression: (-1/2) * x * (1 - x)^(-1/2) + (1 - x)^(1/2) * x divided by x^2

Solution

The given expression is:

12x(1x)12+(1x)12xx2\frac{-\frac{1}{2}x(1 - x)^{-\frac{1}{2}} + (1 - x)^{\frac{1}{2}} x}{x^2}

Let's simplify this step by step:

  1. Factorize and group terms: 12x(1x)12+(1x)12xx2\frac{-\frac{1}{2}x(1 - x)^{-\frac{1}{2}} + (1 - x)^{\frac{1}{2}}x}{x^2}

    We can factor out xx from both terms in the numerator: =x(12(1x)12+(1x)12)x2= \frac{x \left( -\frac{1}{2}(1 - x)^{-\frac{1}{2}} + (1 - x)^{\frac{1}{2}} \right)}{x^2}

  2. Cancel xx in numerator and denominator: =12(1x)12+(1x)12x= \frac{ -\frac{1}{2}(1 - x)^{-\frac{1}{2}} + (1 - x)^{\frac{1}{2}}}{x}

  3. Simplify further: Now we have two terms involving powers of 1x1 - x: =(1x)1212(1x)12x= \frac{ (1 - x)^{\frac{1}{2}} - \frac{1}{2}(1 - x)^{-\frac{1}{2}} }{x}

Final simplified expression:

=(1x)1212(1x)12x= \frac{ (1 - x)^{\frac{1}{2}} - \frac{1}{2}(1 - x)^{-\frac{1}{2}} }{x}

This is the simplified version of the given expression.

Would you like further details on any step? Here are some related questions to explore:

  1. How do you simplify expressions involving fractional exponents?
  2. What are the rules for factoring out common terms in algebraic expressions?
  3. How can we handle terms involving negative exponents?
  4. What is the process for cancelling terms in a fraction?
  5. How does simplifying the numerator affect the overall expression?

Tip: When simplifying expressions with exponents, be mindful of how negative and fractional exponents interact with the base terms.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Exponents
Simplification of Expressions

Formulas

Simplification using laws of exponents and factoring common terms

Theorems

Exponent rules
Factorization

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12