Simplify Square Root Expression: √(144x¹⁰/9x⁴)

Radical Simplification with Variable Exponents

Solve the following exercise:

144x109x4= \sqrt{\frac{144x^{10}}{9x^4}}=

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Simplify the following problem
00:03 When there's a root of a fraction (A divided by B)
00:06 We can write it as root of the numerator (A) divided by root of the denominator (B)
00:10 We'll apply this formula to our exercise
00:19 When we have a root of the multiplication (A times B)
00:24 We can also split it into root of (A) multiplied by the root of (B)
00:28 We'll apply this formula to our exercise
00:38 Break down 144 to 12 squared
00:47 Break down 9 to 3 squared
00:54 The root of any number (A) squared cancels out the square
00:58 Apply this formula to our exercise and proceed to cancel out the squares
01:11 Break down X to the power of 10 into X to the power of 5 squared
01:15 Break down X to the power of 4 into X squared squared
01:24 Simplify the squares with the roots
01:33 Break down 12 into factors of 4 and 3
01:37 Break down X to the power of 5 into factors of X cubed and X squared
01:45 Simplify wherever possible
01:49 This is the solution

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Solve the following exercise:

144x109x4= \sqrt{\frac{144x^{10}}{9x^4}}=

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we will proceed as follows:

  • Step 1: Simplify the expression inside the square root.
  • Step 2: Apply the square root to both the numerator and the denominator separately.
  • Step 3: Simplify the resulting expression.

Let's go through each step:

Step 1: Simplify the fraction 144x109x4\frac{144x^{10}}{9x^4}.

In the given expression 144x109x4\frac{144x^{10}}{9x^4}, separate the numeric part from the variable part:

1449=16\frac{144}{9} = 16 and x10x4=x104=x6\frac{x^{10}}{x^4} = x^{10-4} = x^6.

Thus, the expression simplifies to 16x616x^6.

Step 2: Apply the square root property ab=ab\sqrt{\frac{a}{b}} = \frac{\sqrt{a}}{\sqrt{b}} to each part.

144x109x4=16x6\sqrt{\frac{144x^{10}}{9x^4}} = \sqrt{16x^6}.

Now separate into numeric and variable components: 16x6\sqrt{16}\cdot\sqrt{x^6}.

16=4\sqrt{16} = 4 because 42=164^2 = 16.

x6=(x6)1/2=x6/2=x3\sqrt{x^6} = (x^6)^{1/2} = x^{6/2} = x^3.

Step 3: Combine the results.

Combine the simplified components: 4x34x^3.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 4x3 \boxed{4x^3} .

3

Final Answer

4x3 4x^3

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Fraction Rule: Simplify inside the radical before taking square root
  • Technique: Divide coefficients (144÷9=16) and subtract exponents (x¹⁰÷x⁴=x⁶)
  • Check: Verify (4x³)² = 16x⁶ equals simplified expression inside radical ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Taking square root of numerator and denominator separately without simplifying first
    Don't calculate √144x¹⁰ ÷ √9x⁴ = 12x⁵ ÷ 3x² and get messy fractions! This creates unnecessary complexity and often leads to calculation errors. Always simplify the fraction inside the radical first to get √(16x⁶) = 4x³.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Solve the following exercise:

\( \sqrt{\frac{2}{4}}= \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do I need to simplify inside the radical first?

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Simplifying before taking the square root makes the problem much easier! 144x109x4=16x6 \sqrt{\frac{144x^{10}}{9x^4}} = \sqrt{16x^6} is simpler than trying to handle 144x109x4 \frac{\sqrt{144x^{10}}}{\sqrt{9x^4}} separately.

How do I handle the variable exponents in square roots?

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Remember that xn=xn/2 \sqrt{x^n} = x^{n/2} . So x6=x6/2=x3 \sqrt{x^6} = x^{6/2} = x^3 . The square root halves the exponent!

What if the exponent under the square root is odd?

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If you have an odd exponent like x5 x^5 , you can write it as x4x=(x2)2x x^4 \cdot x = (x^2)^2 \cdot x . Then x5=x2x \sqrt{x^5} = x^2\sqrt{x} .

Can I just divide the numbers and variables separately?

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Yes! This is exactly the right approach. Divide coefficients: 1449=16 \frac{144}{9} = 16 , and subtract exponents: x10x4=x104=x6 \frac{x^{10}}{x^4} = x^{10-4} = x^6 .

How do I check my answer is correct?

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Square your final answer and see if it equals the simplified expression inside the original radical. (4x3)2=16x6 (4x^3)^2 = 16x^6 ✓ matches our simplified fraction!

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