186k views
1 vote
Simplify 1/ √x
a) 1/x
b) √x
c) x
d) 1/x²

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

To simplify 1/√x, we represent the square root of x as x raised to the power of 1/2. Applying the rule of negative exponents, we get x^(-1/2), which simplifies back to √x, making option b) √x the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks us to simplify 1/ √x. To simplify this expression, we recognize that the square root of x can be represented as x raised to the power of 1/2, according to the rules of exponents.

Our original expression then becomes 1/x^(1/2). Utilizing the properties of exponents, particularly the rule that states x-n = 1/xn (where n is a positive integer), we then transform 1/x^(1/2) to x^(-1/2).

The negative exponent indicates that x is in the denominator, so our simplified expression is actually the original square root of x, or √x. Therefore, the mentioned correct option in the final answer is b) √x.

User Chris Markle
by
8.1k points