Algebra. Make me understand this:

[Reynolds]

Simplify and write with positive exponents: http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/7683/mth100w4assg3.gif

[razorboy]

Sorry. I'm still working on physical chemistry.

[MacVittie]

first, we'll simplify the constants. 9/18 = 1/2. so our expression is:

[x(x^-3)]/[2x^15]

let's look at the numerator: x(x^-3)

when we multiple x(x^-3), we get x^-2, so our numerator is x^-2. We can make the exponent positive by putting it in the denominator, to get 1/(x^2).

we mulitply this by our denominator to get 1/[2x^17]

[Reynolds]

first, we'll simplify the constants. 9/18 = 1/2. so our expression is:

[x(x^-3)]/[2x^15]

let's look at the numerator: x(x^-3)

when we multiple x(x^-3), we get x^-2, so our numerator is x^-2. We can make the exponent positive by putting it in the denominator, to get 1/(x^2).

we mulitply this by our denominator to get 1/[2x^17]

You're the best

[Reynolds]

first, we'll simplify the constants. 9/18 = 1/2. so our expression is:

[x(x^-3)]/[2x^15]

let's look at the numerator: x(x^-3)

when we multiple x(x^-3), we get x^-2, so our numerator is x^-2. We can make the exponent positive by putting it in the denominator, to get 1/(x^2).

we mulitply this by our denominator to get 1/[2x^17]

Wait, why is x(x^-3), x^-2 ?

[zentraed]

Wait, why is x(x^-3), x^-2 ?


x (x^-3) = x^1 * x^-3

By the law of exponents, you add the exponents together, so we get

x^(1-3) = x^-2

[Farmer Dave]

I hate you all.

[OGC]

I knew that.

[Furtherman]

1.21 Jiggawatts.

[DiabloSammich]

The answer is clearly boobs.

[zildjian361]

wow haven't seen algebra since my high school days at Brooklyn Tech, i passed it and geometry too, but don't remember any of it long time ago.

[LordJezo]

http://www00.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=%289x%28x^-3%29%29%2F%2818x^15%29
Says MacVittie is right.

[SatCam]

exponents was of the units I slept thru and still managed to pass in algebra II (with a D+)

[MacVittie]

future high school math teacher here. I'm starting student teaching in about a month.

[Gvac]

future high school math teacher here. I'm starting student teaching in about a month.


Congratulations and best of luck.

I too was something of a math whiz back in the day but sadly have forgotten most, if not all, of it.

Aside from simple multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, and percentages, I don't think I use any mathematics on an even semi-regular basis.

[DolaMight]

I have butter on my head.

[zildjian361]

future high school math teacher here. I'm starting student teaching in about a month.

leave the gay out of it. Quick whats 11x 11

[zildjian361]

I have butter on my head.

what the fuck does that mean

[MacVittie]

leave the gay out of it. Quick whats 11x 11

121. Easy.

[MacVittie]

Congratulations and best of luck.

I too was something of a math whiz back in the day but sadly have forgotten most, if not all, of it.

Aside from simple multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, and percentages, I don't think I use any mathematics on an even semi-regular basis.

Sadly, a lot of what is taught in high school has little application to the real world. I love geometry/trigonometry and find them fascinating, but unless you're an engineer or an architect, you'll never use them beyond high school.

If I designed the curriculum, I would be a stronger emphasis on logic and statistic. Both those are very useful in understanding what is reported to us in the media and can give us a much more clairvoyant view of the world.

I stopped believing in fate once I took advanced statistics in college.

[Kublakhan61]

Pemdas

[MacVittie]

Pemdas

ah, a classic from 6th grade.

"Please excuse my dear aunt sally" was the way I learned it.

[EliSnow]

Congratulations and best of luck.

I too was something of a math whiz back in the day but sadly have forgotten most, if not all, of it.

Aside from simple multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, and percentages, I don't think I use any mathematics on an even semi-regular basis.

99% of the people learning calculus/algebra don't use it regularly after graduation.

But somewhere in law school, I realized that the purpose of taking algebra and calculus courses is not to learn those subjects, but instead to teach your brain a certain way of thinking.

Someone who is trained in those subjects is trained to deal with logic, process and proof. And those mental processes are very helpful in other aspects of life.

[SatCam]

99% of the people learning calculus/algebra don't use it regularly after graduation.

But somewhere in law school, I realized that the purpose of taking algebra and calculus courses is not to learn those subjects, but instead to teach your brain a certain way of thinking.

Someone who is trained in those subjects is trained to deal with logic, process and proof. And those mental processes are very helpful in other aspects of life.

It's true the more I think of it. The logic and thought process I learned taking math in high school helped me when I was still programming, and vise versa. And then after high school, when I stopped programming and taking math completely, I noticed that I still applied that logic process in life, especially at work, and I benefited because of it

[EliSnow]

It's true the more I think of it. The logic and thought process I learned taking math in high school helped me when I was still programming, and vise versa. And then after high school, when I stopped programming and taking math completely, I noticed that I still applied that logic process in life, especially at work, and I benefited because of it

It's the same reasoning used to explain why a liberal arts education is useful. It's less about the knowledge learned and more about training your mind to certain types of logic, deduction, learning, etc.

[tanless1]

algebra is fun, look forward to having more time to play...... gosh darn truck driven, call me snow cone.

[Reynolds]

Write without negative exponents (3x^-4 y^2)^-3

[MacVittie]

Write without negative exponents (3x^-4 y^2)^-3

when an exponential term is raised to a power, the exponents are multiplied. For example, we know that 2^3 = 2*2*2. It follows that (2^3)^4 = (2*2*2)*(2*2*2)*(2*2*2)*(2*2*2) = 2^12.

So, we we multiply our exponents, we get:

3^-3 * x^(-4*-3) * y^(2*-3)

which reduces to

(1/27) * (x^12) * (y^-6)

we know that y^-6 = 1/(y^6), so we get

(1/27) * (x^12) * 1/(y^6)

which multiplies out to

(x^12)/(27y^6)

Here's a site I used frequently when I was taking Abstract Algebra:

Math Help Forum (http://www.mathhelpforum.com/math-help/)

[hunnerbun]

Ow...my head hurts from reading this thread. Non logical, abstract thinking right brain person over here. I am not a A to B to C kind of thinker. Most of the time I could figure out the right answer but it didn't necessarily follow the linear path and I had an especially hard time in math class when we had to show how we arrived at the correct answer. In university I had the hardest time with statistics (took it instead of calculus), I think it was the biggest reason I didn't continue with my degree. I hated math...sorry MacVittie.:sad:

[boosterp]

Sadly, a lot of what is taught in high school has little application to the real world. I love geometry/trigonometry and find them fascinating, but unless you're an engineer or an architect, you'll never use them beyond high school.

If I designed the curriculum, I would be a stronger emphasis on logic and statistic. Both those are very useful in understanding what is reported to us in the media and can give us a much more clairvoyant view of the world.

I stopped believing in fate once I took advanced statistics in college.

I used statistics when in I was making a career in medical research. I could not pass college algebra now if I tried.

Since I am ambidextrous I feel a little more right brained than left, but through out life I have always questioned the logic and had the ability to formulate an argument.

[nate1000]

Write without negative exponents (3x^-4 y^2)^-3

1/(3y^2/x^4)^3



Sorry, Mac

[Dude!]

bunch of geek show offs

[El Mudo]

The sum of the square roots of any two sides of an isosceles triangle is equal to the square root of the remaining side

http://download.lardlad.com/framegrabs/1F08/024.jpg

[MacVittie]

1/(3y^2/x^4)^3



Sorry, Mac

Our answers are equivalent, and while I showed work, you simple gave and answer. You would not receive more than 2 out of 8 points on this question.

[nate1000]

Our answers are equivalent, and while I showed work, you simple gave and answer. You would not receive more than 2 out of 8 points on this question.

You are right- I skipped to the end of your post and didn't see the same # as my answer. Always been my problem with math- I tend to attack the problem before fully reading the question.

[NateCantDance]

I hate you all.

A John Deere tractor leaves a soybean field heading East at 4mph...

[Charlie_Don't_Surf]

I still laugh at you lower beings using a base 10 system, when we know base 8 is far more efficient.

[JPMNICK]

I still laugh at you lower beings using a base 10 system, when we know base 8 is far more efficient.

I use base 1 to make counting even faster

[Charlie_Don't_Surf]

I use base 1 to make counting even faster

That made me fuccin laugh. Writing must be a breeze, huh? :lol:

[weekapaugjz]

I still laugh at you lower beings using a base 10 system, when we know base 8 is far more efficient.

i prefer to bump it up to 11.

http://mentalfloss.cachefly.net/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/SpinalTap_Edith_503.jpg

[topless_mike]

Simplify and write with positive exponents: http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/7683/mth100w4assg3.gif

i never understood the reason for this. it will be of no help to me when i go to the store to buy a loaf of bread and milk.