Question

A student simplified the rational expression using the steps shown. Is the answer correct? Explain.​

Answer 1

no bc x^(6/5) / x^(2/5) does not equal x^3; it equals x^(4/5). the final answer is x^(2/5)

Answer 2

No, the answer is not correct.

Explanation:

In the second step, the student didn’t use the quotient of powers property correctly. They should have subtracted inside the parentheses instead of dividing. This would have left them with x^(4/5). They should have then multiplied this power by ^(1/2) resulting in x^(4/10) which simplified is as x^(2/5) which is the correct answer.