Explanation

Note: The answer given in the FPSC answer key is (a) but the actual answer is (b)

To simplify the expression (x^(1/2)) * (x^(-1/2)), we can use the rule of exponents:

x^a * x^b = x^(a+b)

Applying this rule, we get:

(x^(1/2)) * (x^(-1/2)) = x^(1/2 + (-1/2)) = x^0

Any number raised to the power of 0 is equal to 1.

Therefore, (x^(1/2)) * (x^(-1/2)) = 1.