Question

If the expression 1/2x was placed in the form ax^b where a and b are real numbers, then which of the following is equal to a+b ? Show how you arrived at your answer.

(1) 1
(2) 3/2
(3) 1/2
(4) - 1/2

Answer 1

In the given expression 1/2x, the coefficient 'a' is 1/2 and the power 'b' is 1. Adding these together gives us a+b = 3/2, which is option (2).

Step-by-step explanation:

When we have the expression 1/2x, we are dealing with a linear expression where the coefficient of x is 1/2, and the power of x is 1. In the form ax^b, where a and b are real numbers, the value of a is 1/2 and the value of b is 1. Hence, to find a + b, we simply add 1/2 and 1 together, resulting in 3/2.

The sum of the coefficient a and the power b in this case is:

a + b = 1/2 + 1 = 3/2

Therefore, the correct answer is option (2) 3/2.