Question

How do you simplify `4^(-1/2)`?

Answer 1

See the entire simplification process below:

Explanation:

First, use this rule of exponents to write the expression:

`x^color(red)(a) = 1/x^color(red)(-a)`

`4^color(red)(-1/2) = 1/4^color(red)(- -1/2) = 1/4^color(red)(1/2)`

Now use this rule of exponents and radicals to complete the simplification:

`x^(1/color(red)(n)) = root(color(red)(n))(x)`

`1/4^(1/color(red)(2)) = 1/root(color(red)(2))(4) = 1/sqrt(4) = 1/2`