How Does Simplifying Exponential Expressions Work?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the simplification of exponential expressions, specifically focusing on the expression $$\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{2-\frac{1}{2}\log_2(9)}$$. Participants explore various methods and approaches to simplify this expression, engaging in mathematical reasoning and technical explanations.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants clarify the original expression and its components, noting the exponent of $$\frac{1}{2}$$ in the logarithmic term.
  • One participant presents a detailed step-by-step simplification, using properties of logarithms to transform the expression into $$\frac{3}{4}$$.
  • Another participant offers an alternative method to simplify the same expression, also arriving at $$\frac{3}{4}$$, but through a different approach involving the logarithmic identity.
  • A third participant provides a simplification that separates the expression into two parts, leading to the same result of $$\frac{3}{4}$$ while noting a property of exponents.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally arrive at the same result of $$\frac{3}{4}$$ through different methods, but there is no explicit consensus on a single preferred method of simplification. The discussion reflects multiple approaches without resolving which is the most effective.

Contextual Notes

Some steps in the simplifications rely on specific properties of logarithms and exponents, which may not be universally agreed upon or understood in the same way by all participants. The discussion does not clarify any assumptions made regarding the properties used.

Alexstrasuz1
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View attachment 3134 sorry for posting like this my computer broke down. I have trouble with this task
 

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Alexstrasuz said:
View attachment 3134 sorry for posting like this my computer broke down. I have trouble with this task

Do you mean $$\left ( \frac{1}{2} \right )^2-12 \log_2 9$$ or $$\left ( \frac{1}{2} \right ) \cdot 2-12 \log_2 9$$ ??
 

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Alexstrasuz said:
View attachment 3135
This is what I ment
EDIT:2-1/2log29
Is exponent of 1/2

Hi Alexstrasuz,

Okay, you have an expression that read $\left(\dfrac{1}{2}\right)^{2-\dfrac{1}{2\log_2 9}}$, what do you want to do about it? Do you mind to give us the exact working of the original problem?:)
 
Alexstrasuz said:
View attachment 3135
This is what I ment
EDIT:2-1/2log29
Is exponent of 1/2

$$\left ( \frac{1}{2} \right )^{2-\frac{1}{2} \log_2 9} \ \ \ \overset{x \log y=\log y^x}{=} \\ \left ( \frac{1}{2} \right )^{2- \log_2 9^{\frac{1}{2}}}= \left ( \frac{1}{2} \right )^{2- \log_2 3}=\left ( \frac{1}{2} \right )^{2\log_2 2- \log_2 3}=\left ( \frac{1}{2} \right )^{\log_2 2^2- \log_2 3}=\left ( \frac{1}{2} \right )^{\log_2 4- \log_2 3} \ \ \ \overset{\log x - \log y=\log \frac{x}{y}}{=} \ \ \ \left ( \frac{1}{2} \right )^{\log_2 \frac{4}{3}}=\frac{1}{2^{\log_2 \frac{4}{3}}} \ \ \ \overset{x^{\log_x y}=y}{=} \ \ \ \frac{1}{\frac{4}{3}}=\frac{3}{4}$$
 
Another way to proceed:

$$\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{2-\frac{1}{2}\log_2(9)}=2^{\log_2\left(\frac{3}{4}\right)}=\frac{3}{4}$$
 
Hello, Alexstrasuz!

Simplify: .\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{2-\log_2(9)}
We have: .\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^2\cdot\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^{-\frac{1}{2}\log_2(9)} \;=\;\frac{1}{2^2}\cdot 2^{\frac{1}{2}\!\log_2(9)} . **

\;=\;\frac{1}{4}\cdot 2^{\log_2(9^{\frac{1}{2}})} \;=\;\frac{1}{4}\cdot 2^{\log_2(3)}\;=\;\frac{1}{4}\cdot 3 \;=\;\frac{3}{4}** . Note that: .\left(\frac{a}{b}\right)^{-n} \;=\;\left(\frac{b}{a}\right)^n
 

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