Answer
$x=16$
Work Step by Step
$\bf{\text{Solution Outline:}}$
To solve the given equation, $
x^{5/4}=32
,$ raise both sides to the exponent equal to $
\dfrac{4}{5}
.$ Then use the laws of exponents and the definition of rational exponents to simplify the resulting equation. Finally, do checking if the solution satisfies the original equation.
$\bf{\text{Solution Details:}}$
Raising both sides to the exponent, $
\dfrac{4}{5}
,$ the given equation becomes
\begin{array}{l}\require{cancel}
\left(x^{\frac{5}{4}}\right)^{\frac{4}{5}}=(32)^{\frac{4}{5}}
.\end{array}
Using the Power Rule of the laws of exponents which is given by $\left( x^m \right)^p=x^{mp},$ the equation above is equivalent to
\begin{array}{l}\require{cancel}
x^{\frac{5}{4}\cdot\frac{4}{5}}=32^{\frac{4}{5}}
\\\\
x=32^{\frac{4}{5}}
.\end{array}
Using the definition of rational exponents which is given by $a^{\frac{m}{n}}=\sqrt[n]{a^m}=\left(\sqrt[n]{a}\right)^m,$ the expression above is equivalent to
\begin{array}{l}\require{cancel}
x=\left( \sqrt[5]{32} \right)^4
\\\\
x=\left( 2 \right)^4
\\\\
x=16
.\end{array}
Upon checking, $
x=16
$ satisfies the original equation.