+118677 why is 8^1/2 2sqrt(2) and not 4?
Firstly this has NOTHING to do with complex numbers. That has a specific meaning in maths.
secondly your consusion is very common and it is good if you can get it sorted out now.
^ means to the power of 3^4 means 34 = 3*3*3*3 = 81
* means to multiply 3*4 means 3 x 4 =3+3+3+3 = 12
\( 8^{1/2}\;\ne\;8\times \frac{1}{2}\\ ~~\\ 8^{1/2}=\sqrt{8}=\sqrt{4\times2}=\sqrt4\times \sqrt2=2\times \sqrt2 = 2\sqrt2\\ and\\ 8\times \frac{1}{2}=\frac{8}{2}=4 \)
This is a really important thing for you to get stuck into your brain 
+495 8 * 1/2 does not mean the same thing as \({8}^{1/2}\)
An exponent of 1/2 is the same as taking the square root. And the square root of 8 is \(2\sqrt{2}\).
+118677 why is 8^1/2 2sqrt(2) and not 4?
Firstly this has NOTHING to do with complex numbers. That has a specific meaning in maths.
secondly your consusion is very common and it is good if you can get it sorted out now.
^ means to the power of 3^4 means 34 = 3*3*3*3 = 81
* means to multiply 3*4 means 3 x 4 =3+3+3+3 = 12
\( 8^{1/2}\;\ne\;8\times \frac{1}{2}\\ ~~\\ 8^{1/2}=\sqrt{8}=\sqrt{4\times2}=\sqrt4\times \sqrt2=2\times \sqrt2 = 2\sqrt2\\ and\\ 8\times \frac{1}{2}=\frac{8}{2}=4 \)
This is a really important thing for you to get stuck into your brain
