# Simplify this equation and express it as a radical

1. Jan 15, 2008

### justinepearle

I have to simplify this equation and express it as a radical at the end.
16x^7 / y^4 and cube root everything.

I've tried expressing everything as exponents but it doesn't seem to get me to where i want to go. I attempted at factoring into two radicals with one containing a perfect square, but i didn't quite know how to do it and got nothing close to something that looked right.

Any help?

2. Jan 15, 2008

### rock.freak667

$$(\frac{16x^7}{y^4})^\frac{1}{3}$$

$$(\frac{16x^4}{y}*\frac{x^3}{y^3})^\frac{1}{3}$$

that should get you started

3. Jan 15, 2008

### Tom Mattson

Staff Emeritus
That's your problem right there! You should be looking for a perfect cube, right?

4. Jan 15, 2008

### justinepearle

sorry, typo

5. Jan 15, 2008

### Tom Mattson

Staff Emeritus
OK, then show us what you've done. rock.freak started it for you, but there is still more work do to inside the parentheses.

6. Jan 15, 2008

### justinepearle

I've got it down to
((2x)^4/Y)^(1/3) x (x/y)

7. Jan 15, 2008

### Tom Mattson

Staff Emeritus
Good. Now there's still a little more to do. Can you break $(2x)^4$ down into a perfect cube, and another factor that is not a perfect cube?

8. Jan 16, 2008

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
Once you take Tom Mattson's hint you should have everything under control. I'm just going to put in my oar to point out that this is an expression, not an equation.