x^1/2 means the square root of x. (and x^1/3 means third root, x^1/4 means fourth root etc)
x(-1) means 1/x.
36^(1/2) = 6
4^(-1) = 1/4 so solution is 6/4 =3/2.
Whenever you see a negative index it just means the reciprocal of the posiitve index,that
is, x^(-n) is just 1/x^n.
examples 2^(-3) = 1/2^3 = 1/8
8^1/3 = 2 because 2^3 =8
27^1/3=3 because 3^3 =27 hope this helps a little.
