(Rational exponents)simplifying

a^1/2/a^2

Please post steps

If you mean

a1/2 ÷ a²
then by the law of exponents, 1/a² becomes a-2
and the expression equals
a1/2+(-2)
=?

No it's a fraction

a with the exponent 1/2 as the numerator and a^2 as the denominator

a1/2 ÷ a²

is the mathematical equivalent of
a1/2 / a²
so no worries.

I wrote the ÷ specifically to avoid confusion since two "/" signs were in the expression.

I guess my typo made more confusion than anything else! :(

a1/2 ÷ a²
is the mathematical equivalent of
a1/2 / a²
so no worries.

I wrote the ÷ specifically to avoid confusion since two "/" signs were in the expression.

Thank you

You're welcome!

a^(-1.5) ?