Question

I have a problem that I have no idea how to solve. The instruction say to solve and check the given equation by rational exponents. The equation is: x to the 5/2 power = 32. Can you show me how to do this step by step?

Answer 1

sure. x^5/2 is the square root of x^5.

So, you want x^5 = 32^2 = 2^10

x^5 = (2^2)^5

take the fifth root of both sides:

x = 2^2 = 4

So, the square root of 4 is 2
2^5 = 4^(5/2) = 32

Answer 2

Thanks Steve.