## anonymous one year ago How do I simplify √1/4x^2?

1. UnkleRhaukus

is that $\sqrt{\frac1{4x^2}}$?

2. UnkleRhaukus

$\sqrt{\frac1{4x^2}}=\frac{\sqrt1}{\sqrt{4x^2}}=\frac{\sqrt1}{\sqrt{4}\sqrt{x^2}}= \dots$

3. anonymous

Oh so would the final answer be x/2 ?

4. UnkleRhaukus

almost,

5. anonymous

SO you multiply 2x on both sides, giving us 2x? or do you have to do something with the √1?

6. UnkleRhaukus

don't multiply anything, just simplify each square root term

7. anonymous

√1/2x

8. UnkleRhaukus

yeah that's right, and you can simplify √1

9. anonymous

The only thing I don't understand is that the x does not have a specific place, so can we determine that it is the bottom or the top, and if so how?

10. UnkleRhaukus

oh, i interpreted your question wrong.

11. UnkleRhaukus

$\sqrt{\frac14x^2}=\sqrt{\frac14}\sqrt{x^2}=\frac{\sqrt1}{\sqrt4}\sqrt{x^2}=\frac{1}{2}x=x/2$ as you said originally

12. anonymous

Ok, thank you SO much!

13. UnkleRhaukus

NB we have only computed the principal square roots