a. \( x^{\frac{1}{2}}=3 \)

To solve the equation \( x^{\frac{1}{2}}=3 \), you can square both sides to eliminate the square root. This means you would get \( x = 3^2 \), which simplifies to \( x = 9 \). That's your solution! Remember, whenever you're dealing with square roots, squaring both sides can help clarify your equation, but you should always double-check that your solution is valid in the original equation. Now, if you want to take it a step further, understanding how to manipulate equations with exponents can open doors to more complex algebra! You'll find these principles come in handy when you dive into quadratic equations or even calculus in the future. So keep practicing those exponent rules; they’ll serve you well!