What are the steps involved in solving this problem

If you take the square root of the square root of x, and that = x ^ a what does a equal?

 

1/4

 

I don't understand your statement. You are saying what is sqrt{x^a}?

Answer: x^(a/2).

See attachment.

 

If you take the square root of the square root of x, you have sqrt(x) or x^(1/2)

and that = x ^ a

=>x^(1/2)=x ^ a ........if base same, exponents are same too

=>a=1/2

 

Cool but is my answer incorrect?
I stated the answer to be x^(a/2). If wrong, why am I wrong?

 

your mistake is at very beginning:
read carefully: If you take the square root of the square root of x =>sqrt(x)
, and that is equal to x ^ a

=>sqrt(x) =x ^ a

but you did this: sqrt(x ^ a) which is not what is given

 

Thank you. I seriously doubt that member cmtoland will respond. This thread dates 26September2019.