anonymous 4 years ago Find the following assuming that a can represent any real number $\sqrt[4]{(5a)}^{4}$

1. anonymous

5a, because ur taking the 4 root of something to the fourth power

2. anonymous

so why would it be 5a?

3. anonymous

it's actually |5a|

4. anonymous

<rolls eyes>

5. anonymous

radicals are to exponents as division is to multiplication.

6. anonymous

So if you take the 4th root of something to the 4th power you will get what you started with (except with even roots you have to slap an absolute value on it)

7. anonymous

Or even powers that is

8. anonymous

so I don't understand what the lines represent on the sides of the answer?

9. anonymous

Absolute value sign.

10. anonymous

so the 4's basically cancel eachother out?

11. anonymous

xactely

12. anonymous

Yes.

13. anonymous

If you have the same power as you have index on your radical it cancels out the exponent.

14. anonymous

ok I think I understand. at least better. But what are the lines on each side for?

15. anonymous

It's a nit picky detail.

16. anonymous

| | is the absolute value operator.