Problem

Solve for x x^(2/3)=4x^(1/3)

The problem is asking to find the value(s) of the variable x that satisfy the equation where x is raised to the power of 2/3 and is equal to 4 times x raised to the power of 1/3. Essentially, it is an algebraic equation involving fractional exponents, and the solution involves manipulating the equation to isolate x and find its possible values.

x23=4x13

Answer

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Solution:

Step 1

Raise both sides of the equation to the power of 3 to remove the fractional exponents: (x23)3=(4x13)3.

Step 2

Apply the exponentiation rule to simplify the left side: x233=(4x13)3.

Step 2.1

Utilize the power of a power property: x2=(4x13)3.

Step 2.2

Simplify the right side by raising both terms inside the parentheses to the power of 3.

Step 3

Expand the right side of the equation: x2=43(x13)3.

Step 3.1

Calculate the cube of 4: x2=64(x13)3.

Step 3.2

Simplify the exponent on x: x2=64x133.

Step 3.3

Finalize the simplification: x2=64x.

Step 4

Subtract 64x from both sides to set the equation to zero: x264x=0.

Step 5

Factor out the common x term: x(x64)=0.

Step 6

Apply the zero-product property: if ab=0, then either a=0 or b=0.

Step 7

Solve for x when the first factor equals zero: x=0.

Step 8

Solve for x when the second factor equals zero: x64=0, then x=64.

Step 9

Combine the solutions from steps 7 and 8: The solutions are x=0 and x=64.

Knowledge Notes:

  1. Fractional Exponents: The expression xab is equivalent to the b-th root of x raised to the power of a, i.e., (xb)a.

  2. Power Rule: When raising a power to a power, you multiply the exponents, as in (am)n=amn.

  3. Zero-Product Property: If the product of two factors is zero, at least one of the factors must be zero. This property is used to solve quadratic equations by factoring.

  4. Factoring: The process of breaking down an expression into a product of simpler expressions. In the case of x264x, factoring out x gives x(x64).

  5. Solving Quadratic Equations: A quadratic equation can be solved by factoring, completing the square, using the quadratic formula, or graphing. In this case, factoring is the chosen method.

  6. LCD (Least Common Denominator): The smallest common multiple of the denominators of two or more fractions. It is used to eliminate fractions by multiplying each term by the LCD.

  7. Cube of a Number: The cube of a number is its third power, the result of multiplying it by itself three times. For example, 43=444=64.

  8. Simplification: The process of reducing an expression to its simplest form by performing all possible operations and combining like terms.

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