Simplifying Equation: Where Am I Going Wrong? | Get Help with Math"

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The user is attempting to simplify an equation but encounters difficulties with their method, despite achieving the correct answer through an alternative approach. They share their working steps and express confusion over where they went wrong. A key error is identified in their final step, where the right-hand side should be squared instead of taken to the power of one-half. The correct simplification leads to the answer A=(4t^2)/(1+t)^2, and the user is advised to adjust their approach accordingly. The discussion emphasizes the importance of careful exponent handling in algebraic simplifications.
ojsimon
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Hi,

I am trying to simplify this equation and it won't work using this method, although i can do it using another method, so this method should work too. Could someone please look at my working and tell me where I am going wrong?

-t^-1=-2A-(1/2)+1
2A^-(1/2)=t^-1 +1
A^(-1/2)=(t^-1 +1)/2
A^(1/2)=2/(t^-1 +1)
A=(2/(t^-1 +1))^(1/2)


Surely this should work, but the answer which is correct and i can get using another method is A=(4t^2)/(1+t)^2

Thanks for your help
 
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ojsimon said:
A^(1/2)=2/(t^-1 +1)
A=(2/(t^-1 +1))^(1/2)

This step is incorrect. The right hand side of the last line should be raised to the power of 2, not 1/2. Once this error is fixed to get the "correct" form, just multiply top and bottom by t^2. (Or in the first line in the quote above, multiply by t on top and bottom, and then square both sides).
 
Thanks so much, i thought it must be something stupid..
 
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