Problem

Simplify (3y)/( square root of 9x^3y^4)

The question is asking for the simplification of a mathematical expression. The expression consists of a fraction where the numerator is 3 times the variable 'y' and the denominator is the square root of the product of 9, x raised to the third power, and y raised to the fourth power. The task is to apply algebraic rules and properties of square roots and exponents to rewrite the given expression in a simpler or more reduced form without changing its value.

3y9x3y4

Answer

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Solution:

Step 1: Simplify the denominator

  • Step 1.1: Express 9x3y4 as (3xy2)2x.

    • Step 1.1.1: Write 9 as 32. 3y32x3y4
    • Step 1.1.2: Extract x2. 3y32(x2x)y4
    • Step 1.1.3: Represent y4 as (y2)2. 3y32(x2x)(y2)2
    • Step 1.1.4: Rearrange x. 3y32(x2)(y2)2x
    • Step 1.1.5: Combine as (3xy2)2. 3y(3xy2)2x
  • Step 1.2: Extract terms from the radical. 3y3xy2x

Step 2: Reduce the expression by cancelling common factors

  • Step 2.1: Eliminate the common factor of 3.

    • Step 2.1.1: Remove the common factor. 3y3xy2x
    • Step 2.1.2: Simplify the expression. yxy2x
  • Step 2.2: Cancel the common factors of y and y2.

    • Step 2.2.1: Elevate y to the power of 1. y1xy2x

    • Step 2.2.2: Separate y from y1. y1xy2x

    • Step 2.2.3: Remove common factors.

      • Step 2.2.3.1: Extract y from xy2x. y1y(xyx)
      • Step 2.2.3.2: Cancel the common factor. y1y(xyx)
      • Step 2.2.3.3: Present the simplified expression. 1xyx

Step 3: Rationalize the denominator by multiplying by xx. 1xyxxx

Step 4: Combine and simplify the denominator

  • Step 4.1: Multiply by xx. xxyxx

  • Step 4.2: Rearrange x. xxy(xx)

  • Step 4.3: Elevate x to the power of 1. xxy((x)1x)

  • Step 4.4: Apply the same elevation. xxy((x)1(x)1)

  • Step 4.5: Use the power rule aman=am+n to combine exponents. xxy(x)1+1

  • Step 4.6: Add 1 and 1. xxy(x)2

  • Step 4.7: Convert (x)2 to x.

    • Step 4.7.1: Rewrite x as x12. xxy(x12)2

    • Step 4.7.2: Apply the power rule, (am)n=amn. xxyx122

    • Step 4.7.3: Simplify 122. xxyx22

    • Step 4.7.4: Remove the common factor of 2.

      • Step 4.7.4.1: Cancel the common factor. xxyx22
      • Step 4.7.4.2: Display the simplified expression. xxyx1
    • Step 4.7.5: Simplify further. xxyx

Step 5: Combine x terms by adding exponents

  • Step 5.1: Rearrange x. xxxy
  • Step 5.2: Multiply x by x. xx2y

Knowledge Notes:

  • Radical Simplification: To simplify a radical, factors inside the radical can be rewritten such that perfect squares are extracted, reducing the complexity of the expression.

  • Rationalizing the Denominator: When a radical is present in the denominator, it is common practice to multiply the fraction by a form of 1 that will eliminate the radical from the denominator. This process is known as rationalization.

  • Common Factor Cancellation: When the same factor appears in both the numerator and the denominator, it can be cancelled out to simplify the fraction.

  • Exponent Rules:

    • Power Rule: aman=am+n allows us to combine bases with exponents by adding the exponents.

    • Power of a Power Rule: (am)n=amn allows us to multiply exponents when an exponent is raised to another power.

    • Square Root as an Exponent: axn=axn allows us to express a root as a fractional exponent.

  • Simplifying Expressions: The goal of simplification is to write the expression in the simplest form by combining like terms, reducing fractions, and applying algebraic rules.

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