# X'root homework problem help

1. Jan 22, 2007

### disregardthat

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
(9^(3/x))^4
(without calculator)

2. Relevant equations
a^n/m = m'root'a^n

3. The attempt at a solution

adding the powers: 3/x*4/1 = 12/x

9^12/x

x'root'9^12 = ?

----------------------

Ok, it's supposed to be 27, but how can you know something that are being rooted from x?

The calculator says it's 2.655 when I use the x'root'9^12 (It's incorrect and I'm not allowed to do that)

How does it get that from x? And what is the correct way to find it?

Last edited: Jan 22, 2007
2. Jan 22, 2007

### Staff: Mentor

I don't understand your notation, and it does seem like you would need x in order to work out the problem. What is the full problem statement? Does it say "find x for each of the following", or something? Or given that x=(something), work out each of the following...

Is this what you are trying to write? $$( {9^\frac{3}{x}} )^4$$

3. Jan 22, 2007

### disregardthat

That's excactly what I try to write, Thanks, and no, it doesn't say anything more than:

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f) $$( {9^\frac{3}{x}} )^4$$

(plus the relevant equation at the top of the page of a^n/m = m'root'a^n (I don't know the equation code for that)

4. Jan 22, 2007

### Staff: Mentor

Well, you can certainly calculate it for x = 1, 3, and 6, and all give different answers. So the answer is not independent of x. Given the relevant equation that you've listed (which must be part of the subject matter for the section you are working on), they must want you to just re-write the number... ? Which is what you did. I don't see how you can go farther without knowing x, with or without a calculator.

$$\sqrt[x]{9^{12}}$$

5. Jan 22, 2007

### disregardthat

Thanks, I will tell my teacher this tomorrow.

(still don't know why my calculator came up with his wierd answer, but I will ask him that too)

6. Jan 22, 2007

### Staff: Mentor

Oh great! Gonna get me in trouble with the prof, eh? :rofl:

BTW, your calculator gave you an answer because there was already something in the x register, most likely. Just left over from whatever your previous calculation was. Try it again, this time explicitly putting in the values 1, 3, 6, and see what the three answers are that you get (hopefully they'll be the same ones you worked out in your head).

7. Jan 22, 2007

### disregardthat

You are safe behind the internet wall, so don't worry :)
He is a smart guy though....

EDIT: This is kind of embarrasing....

It might be that the machine that printed out this question have accidentaly cut away the top and bottom of the number "8", so it showed X instead. It's probably supposed to be 8, and that's is correct too... :grumpy:

See how much a little mistake can make lots of useless work for a poor fellow??

Last edited: Jan 22, 2007
8. Jan 22, 2007

### BobG

What's supposed to be 27.

If x is 27, and
$$9^{(\frac{12}{x}) } = y$$
then y does equal 2.655.

If
$$9^{(\frac{12}{x}) } = 27$$
then you can solve for x.

The second makes more sense if you're supposed to solve this without a calculator.

Last edited: Jan 22, 2007
9. Jan 22, 2007

### disregardthat

Oh, we posted at the same time....

I understand how we can find X, and It's probably going to be "8" if you read the post I made...