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.
Order of precedence: in $ab^{c}$, which operation goes first?
2
$\begingroup$
algebra-precalculus
-
3the only thing raised to the $-1/2$ is the $x^2+1$ – 2011-04-17
3 Answers
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.