4 (x+1)1/2 - 5(x+1)3/2 + (x+1)5/2 = 0

I'm assuming you mean

4 * (x+1)1/2 - 5 * (x+1)3/2 + (x+1)5/2 = 0

In that case, x = -1 is obviously a solution. For other solutions, assume that x is not equal to -1 and divide the entire thing by (x+1)1/2 to get a quadratic equation.

dave

First is that 4(x+1) * 1/2, that is multiplied by a half, or 4(x+1)^1/2, that is to the power one half?

Distributing and combining like terms gives you -3x-3=0.
Another way is to think about the (x+1) and realize that small equation appears in each part of the equation; therefore if x+1=0 then the whole equation equals 0

it is very simple actually. if you look carefully you should realise that the answer is -1. because if you replace x by -1 every paranthesis becomes 0(zero) so it satisfies the equation. but if you need the proof...

first lets open the eq.
(4x+4)/2 -(15x+15)/2 + (5x+5)/2 = 0

multiply everything by 2 and get rid of the paranthesis
4x+4-15x-15+5x+5=0

and just solve the eq.
-6x = 6
x= -1

that is it...
hope it helps.

murat

i dont know... im not 2 good @ math, even though i have an a in the class! hehe... email me if u REALLY NEEDhelp... im good w/ fractions.. if that helps.