JavaScript is required to use Bungie.net

OffTopic

Surf a Flood of random discussion.
Edited by DarkSpyda04: 7/23/2015 5:12:02 AM
18

I'm having trouble w/ an algebraic expression

I was having trouble simplifying an expression earlier but I just solved it now while I was posting this. However, I'm still a bit confused about the results. Here is the problem. (x^n / x^n+1) / [x^2 * (x * x^-3)] In the book, the solution is x^-1 but I kept getting x^-3 Here's how it's supposed to be done: (x^n / x^n+1) / [x^2 * (x * x^-3)] (x^n / x^n+1) / [(x^2 * x) * (x^2 * x^-3)] (x^n / x^n+1) / [(x^2+1) * (x^2-3)] (x^n / x^n+1) / [(x^3) * (x^-1)] (x^n / x^n+1) / [x^3-1] (x^n / x^n+1) / [x^2] (x^n-n+1) / [x^2] (this is where I had trouble) (x^1) / [x^2] x^1-2 x^-1 I kept getting x^-3 because I used the calculator for (x^n / x^n+1) only to keep getting that it simplified to x^-1 Try 2^2 / 2^3 and you get the same result as x^-1 Try 3^4 / 3^5 and you get the same result as x^-1 If it truly were x^1 then the calculator would've returned the value for x that I gave it. (x^-1) / [x^2] x^-1-2 x^-3 I want to know why I kept getting that answer and why I was wrong.

Posting in language:

 

Play nice. Take a minute to review our Code of Conduct before submitting your post. Cancel Edit Create Fireteam Post

View Entire Topic
  • Edited by aceebro: 7/23/2015 10:26:27 AM
    Step two is wrong. Distribution doesn't work across multiplication, only addition. [spoiler]a(b+c)=ab+ac but a(b*c)=abc[/spoiler]I have no idea wtf textbook you're using that has that in there. EDIT: I realised that this likely isn't from a textbook, but my point stands. Wherever you saw that "how it's supposed to be done" is wrong, both with the distribution, and where they said that "x^(n-(n+1))=x^1". That doesn't even make any damn sense.

    Posting in language:

     

    Play nice. Take a minute to review our Code of Conduct before submitting your post. Cancel Edit Create Fireteam Post

    2 Replies
    You are not allowed to view this content.
    ;
    preload icon
    preload icon
    preload icon