Simplify the Nested Expression: ((a²)³)^(1/4)

Question

((a2)3)14= ((a^2)^3)^{\frac{1}{4}}=

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Solve the following problem
00:03 When there is a power over a power, the shared power is the product of the powers
00:06 We'll solve one multiplication at a time
00:13 This is the solution

Step-by-Step Solution

We use the power rule for exponents.

(am)n=amn (a^m)^n=a^{m\cdot n} We apply it to the problem:

((a2)3)14=(a23)14=a2314=a64=a32 \big((a^2)^3\big)^{\frac{1}{4}}=(a^{2\cdot3})^{\frac{1}{4}}=a^{2\cdot3\cdot\frac{1}{4}}=a^{\frac{6}{4}}=a^{\frac{3}{2}} When we use the previously mentioned rule twice, the first time for the inner parentheses in the first stage and the second time for the remaining parentheses in the second stage, in the third stage we calculate the result of the multiplication in the exponent. While remembering that multiplying by a fraction is actually doubling the numerator of the fraction and, finally, in the last stage we simplify the fraction we obtained in the exponent.

Now remember that -

32=112=1.5 \frac{3}{2}=1\frac{1}{2}=1.5

Therefore, the correct answer is option a.

Answer

a1.5 a^{1.5}