# Exponential functions

#### linapril

##### New member

1. (x1/2 + x-1/2)2

​Thank you!

#### Ackbach

##### Indicium Physicus
Staff member
What are you asked to do? And what steps have you made towards doing that?

#### linapril

##### New member
It just says to simplify it.
I multiplied away the brackets, getting x + x, which equals 2x. But this answer's wrong apparently...

#### Ackbach

##### Indicium Physicus
Staff member
Yes, there are several errors in your computations. The first error, seemingly, is that you distributed the exponent over addition. This NEVER WORKS! If you don't believe me, check this out: is
$$25=5^{2}=(2+3)^{2}=2^{2}+3^{2}=4+9=13?$$
Definitely not. So this thought doesn't work. It's so common it's called the "freshman's dream". You have to write out your expression and FOIL it:
$$(x^{1/2}+x^{-1/2})^{2}=(x^{1/2}+x^{-1/2})(x^{1/2}+x^{-1/2}).$$
Now do your firsts, outers, inners, and lasts. What do you get?

#### linapril

##### New member
I got the right answer, thank you so much

#### Ackbach

##### Indicium Physicus
Staff member
You're welcome! Have a good one.