Alright, so I know that this isn't *technically* the place to ask this, but the server is down for our online tutors and I am STUCK and can't figure this out... I need to have 3 more assignments finished tonight (that's what I get for slacking over the weekend. lol) and I can't progress until I finish this part... So I thought I would turn to you mommas for help!!! :)
So... I am solving equations in quadratic form. The original question is
y^1/2-3y^1/4-10=0. So I substitute U for y^1/4 and wind up with u^2-3u-10=0.... Applying the quadratic formula, I get u=5 and u=(-2)...
So now I need to get U to equal y^1/4... but I can't remember HOW I am supposed to get a fraction degree and a whole number to combine...
So, I am supposed to solve 5=y^1/4 and -2=y^1/4... anyone able to tell me how?
*I can't brain anymore... my think hurts. :/
Ugh. So I was still confused (although, thank you JB and Jennifer for the help... it was exactly right... I just was at the end of my thinking capacity by the time I asked the question, so I wasn't able to grasp the concept. lol)
I wound up taking it to class today, (I'm glad I worked ahead so I didn't get penalized for not having my assignments done. lol.) and the teacher walked me through it... But it STILL took me over an hour to do 6 more problems! I do just fine with the quadratic formula, and can breeze right through it... but for some reason the substitution is killing me! lol.
I hate math. :/
You raise both sides to 4. So 5^4 = (y^(1/4))^4. So then 5^4 = y, y = 625. You do the same thing to the -2, raising it to 4.
To clear a fractional exponent, you just raise it to the reciprocal (so for 1/3, you raise to 3...for 2/5, you raise to 5/2 etc.).
Hope that helps...
Is it horrible that when I read this question I read
"blar dee blar bloob el doob skim a rink dob?"
Better you than me.
JB is exactly correct. The only thing I would add is that you must check both answers with the original equation. The might both work. One of them might work. It's also possible that neither one will work. In that case you would have "No solutions."
Try the website wolfram alpha, and also the Kahn Academy website.
