Solve b^-2=4 - ScanMath

Evaluate

b^{- 2} = 4

Find the domain

b^{- 2} = 4, b \neq = 0

Rewrite the expression

\frac{1}{b ^{2}} = 4

Cross multiply

1 = b^{2} \times 4

Simplify the equation

1 = 4 b^{2}

Swap the sides of the equation

4 b^{2} = 1

Divide both sides

\frac{4 b ^{2}}{4} = \frac{1}{4}

Divide the numbers

b^{2} = \frac{1}{4}

Take the root of both sides of the equation and remember to use both positive and negative roots

b = \pm \frac{1}{4}

Simplify the expression

More Steps

b = \pm \frac{1}{2}

Separate the equation into 2 possible cases

b = \frac{1}{2} b = - \frac{1}{2}

Check if the solution is in the defined range

b = \frac{1}{2} b = - \frac{1}{2}, b \neq = 0

Find the intersection of the solution and the defined range

b = \frac{1}{2} b = - \frac{1}{2}

Solution

b_{1} = - \frac{1}{2}, b_{2} = \frac{1}{2}

Alternative Form

b_{1} = - 0.5, b_{2} = 0.5

Solve the equation