2
$\begingroup$

If you have $x^3(x^2 + 1)^{-\frac{1}{2}},$ os the power or the product calculated first? I'm assuming the power comes first but I don't like to just assume.

  • 3
    the only thing raised to the $-1/2$ is the $x^2+1$2011-04-17

3 Answers 3

3

Powers have precedence over multiplication. (Powers are applied first.)

It's just like how the only thing squared in $x y^2$ is the $y$.

1

Exponentiation is done before multiplication, so it should not be "an assumption". Of course, the + is done before the exponentiation, unless you are planning to turn it into a series or something.

0

Indices before multiplication.

$x^3(x^2 + 1)^{-\frac{1}{2}} = x^3((x^2 + 1)^{-\frac{1}{2}})$

You can remember the order of precedence by the acronym 'BIDMAS': Brackets, Indices, Division, Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction.