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Rational Exponents

Simplify expressions with

Simplify Expressions with

Rational exponents are another way of writing expressions with radicals. When we use rational exponents, we can apply the properties of exponents to simplify expressions.

The Power Property for Exponents says that \({({a}^{m})}^{n}={a}^{m\cdot n}\) when m and n are whole numbers. Let’s assume we are now not limited to whole numbers.

Suppose we want to find a number p such that \({({8}^{p})}^{3}=8\). We will use the Power Property of Exponents to find the value of p.

\(\ \begin{array}{lll} \\ {({8}^{p})}^{3} & = & 8\end{array}\)
Multiply the exponents on the left.\(\ \begin{array}{lll} \\ {8}^{3p} & = & 8\end{array}\)
Write the exponent 1 on the right.\(\ \begin{array}{lll} \\ {8}^{3p} & = & {8}^{1}\end{array}\)
The exponents must be equal.\(\ \begin{array}{lll} \\ 3p & = & 1\end{array}\)
Solve for \(p.\)\(\ \begin{array}{lll} \\ p & = & \frac{1}{3}\end{array}\)
\(\begin{array}{lll} \\ \\ \\ \text{So}\ {({8}^{\frac{1}{3}})}^{3} & = & 8.\end{array}\)
But we know also \({(\sqrt[3]{8})}^{3}=8\). Then it must be that \({8}^{\frac{1}{3}}=\sqrt[3]{8}\).

But we know also \({(\sqrt[3]{8})}^{3}=8\). Then it must be that \({8}^{\frac{1}{3}}=\sqrt[3]{8}\).

This same logic can be used for any positive integer exponent n to show that \({a}^{\frac{1}{n}}=\sqrt[n]{a}\).

There will be times when working with expressions will be easier if you use rational exponents and times when it will be easier if you use radicals. In the first few examples, you’ll practice converting expressions between these two notations.

Example

Try it.

Write as a radical expression: ⓐ \({x}^{\frac{1}{2}}\) ⓑ \({y}^{\frac{1}{3}}\) ⓒ \({z}^{\frac{1}{4}}\).

Solution

We want to write each expression in the form \(\sqrt[n]{a}\).

ⓐ

\({x}^{\frac{1}{2}}\)
The denominator of the exponent is 2, so the index of the radical is 2. We do not show the index when it is 2.\(\sqrt{x}\)

ⓑ

\({y}^{\frac{1}{3}}\)
The denominator of the exponent is 3, so the index is 3.\(\sqrt[3]{y}\)

ⓒ

\({z}^{\frac{1}{4}}\)
The denominator of the exponent is 4, so the index is 4.\(\sqrt[4]{z}\)

Condensed: the full section is in OpenStax Elementary Algebra 2e.

Simplify Expressions with

Let’s work with the Power Property for Exponents some more.

Suppose we raise \({a}^{\frac{1}{n}}\) to the power m.

\({({a}^{\frac{1}{n}})}^{m}\)
Multiply the exponents.\({a}^{\frac{1}{n}}{}^{\cdot m}\)
Simplify.\({a}^{\frac{m}{n}}\)
So \({a}^{\frac{m}{n}}={(\sqrt[n]{a})}^{m}.\)

Now suppose we take \({a}^{m}\) to the \(\frac{1}{n}\) power.

\({({a}^{m})}^{\frac{1}{n}}\)
Multiply the exponents.\({a}^{m\cdot \frac{1}{n}}\)
Simplify.\({a}^{\frac{m}{n}}\)
So \({a}^{\frac{m}{n}}=\sqrt[n]{{a}^{m}}\) also.

Which form do we use to simplify an expression? We usually take the root first, that way we keep the numbers in the radicand smaller.

Example

Try it.

Write with a rational exponent: ⓐ \(\sqrt{{y}^{3}}\) ⓑ \(\sqrt[3]{{x}^{2}}\) ⓒ \(\sqrt[4]{{z}^{3}}\).

Solution

We want to use \({a}^{\frac{m}{n}}=\sqrt[n]{{a}^{m}}\) to write each radical in the form \({a}^{\frac{m}{n}}\).

  1. ⓐ
  2. ⓑ
  3. ⓒ
Example

Try it.

Simplify: ⓐ \({9}^{\frac{3}{2}}\) ⓑ \({125}^{\frac{2}{3}}\) ⓒ \({81}^{\frac{3}{4}}\).

Solution

We will rewrite each expression as a radical first using the property, \({a}^{\frac{m}{n}}={(\sqrt[n]{a})}^{m}\). This form lets us take the root first and so we keep the numbers in the radicand smaller than if we used the other form.

ⓐ

\({9}^{\frac{3}{2}}\)
The power of the radical is the numerator of the exponent, 3. Since the denominator of the exponent is 2, this is a square root.\({(\sqrt{9})}^{3}\)
Simplify.\({(3)}^{3}\)
\(27\)

ⓑ

\({125}^{\frac{2}{3}}\)
The power of the radical is the numerator of the exponent, 2. The index of the radical is the denominator of the exponent, 3.\({(\sqrt[3]{125})}^{2}\)
Simplify.\({(5)}^{2}\)
\(25\)

ⓒ

\({81}^{\frac{3}{4}}\)
The power of the radical is the numerator of the exponent, 3. The index of the radical is the denominator of the exponent, 4.\({(\sqrt[4]{81})}^{3}\)
Simplify.\({(3)}^{3}\)
\(27\)

Remember that \({b}^{\text{-}p}=\frac{1}{{b}^{p}}\). The negative sign in the exponent does not change the sign of the expression.

Condensed: the full section is in OpenStax Elementary Algebra 2e.

Use the Laws of Exponents to Simplify Expressions with Rational Exponents

The same laws of exponents that we already used apply to rational exponents, too. We will list the Exponent Properties here to have them for reference as we simplify expressions.

When we multiply the same base, we add the exponents.

Example

Try it.

Simplify: ⓐ \({2}^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot {2}^{\frac{5}{2}}\) ⓑ \({x}^{\frac{2}{3}}\cdot {x}^{\frac{4}{3}}\) ⓒ \({z}^{\frac{3}{4}}\cdot {z}^{\frac{5}{4}}\).

Solution

ⓐ

\({2}^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot {2}^{\frac{5}{2}}\)
The bases are the same, so we add the exponents.\({2}^{\frac{1}{2}+\frac{5}{2}}\)
Add the fractions.\({2}^{\frac{6}{2}}\)
Simplify the exponent.\({2}^{3}\)
Simplify.\(8\)

ⓑ

\({x}^{\frac{2}{3}}\cdot {x}^{\frac{4}{3}}\)
The bases are the same, so we add the exponents.\({x}^{\frac{2}{3}+\frac{4}{3}}\)
Add the fractions.\({x}^{\frac{6}{3}}\)
Simplify.\({x}^{2}\)

ⓒ

\({z}^{\frac{3}{4}}\cdot {z}^{\frac{5}{4}}\)
The bases are the same, so we add the exponents.\({z}^{\frac{3}{4}+\frac{5}{4}}\)
Add the fractions.\({z}^{\frac{8}{4}}\)
Simplify.\({z}^{2}\)

We will use the Power Property in the next example.

Example

Try it.

Simplify: ⓐ \({({x}^{4})}^{\frac{1}{2}}\) ⓑ \({({y}^{6})}^{\frac{1}{3}}\) ⓒ \({({z}^{9})}^{\frac{2}{3}}\).

Solution

ⓐ

\({({x}^{4})}^{\frac{1}{2}}\)
To raise a power to a power, we multiply the exponents.\({x}^{4\cdot \frac{1}{2}}\)
Simplify.\({x}^{2}\)

ⓑ

\({({y}^{6})}^{\frac{1}{3}}\)
To raise a power to a power, we multiply the exponents.\({y}^{6\cdot \frac{1}{3}}\)
Simplify.\({y}^{2}\)

ⓒ

\({({z}^{9})}^{\frac{2}{3}}\)
To raise a power to a power, we multiply the exponents.\({z}^{9\cdot \frac{2}{3}}\)
Simplify.\({z}^{6}\)

Condensed: the full section is in OpenStax Elementary Algebra 2e.

Key Concepts

  • Summary of Exponent Properties
  • If \(a,b\) are real numbers and \(m,n\) are rational numbers, then
    • Product Property \({a}^{m}\cdot {a}^{n}={a}^{m+n}\)
    • Power Property \({({a}^{m})}^{n}={a}^{m\cdot n}\)
    • Product to a Power \({(ab)}^{m}={a}^{m}{b}^{m}\)
    • Quotient Property:
      \[\frac{{a}^{m}}{{a}^{n}}={a}^{m-n},\ \ a\ne 0,\ \ m>n\] \[\frac{{a}^{m}}{{a}^{n}}=\frac{1}{{a}^{n-m}},\ \ a\ne 0,\ \ n>m\]
    • Zero Exponent Definition \({a}^{0}=1\), \(a\ne 0\)
    • Quotient to a Power Property \({(\frac{a}{b})}^{m}=\frac{{a}^{m}}{{b}^{m}},\ b\ne 0\)

Chapter 9 Review Exercises

Simplify Expressions with Square Roots

In the following exercises, simplify.

Try it.

\(\sqrt{64}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{144}\)

Solution

12

Try it.

\(-\sqrt{25}\)

Try it.

\(-\sqrt{81}\)

Solution

\(-9\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{-9}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{-36}\)

Solution

not a real number

Try it.

\(\sqrt{64}+\sqrt{225}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{64+225}\)

Solution

17

Estimate Square Roots

In the following exercises, estimate each square root between two consecutive whole numbers.

Try it.

\(\sqrt{28}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{155}\)

Solution

\(12<\sqrt{155}<13\)

Approximate Square Roots

In the following exercises, approximate each square root and round to two decimal places.

Try it.

\(\sqrt{15}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{57}\)

Solution

7.55

Simplify Variable Expressions with Square Roots

In the following exercises, simplify.

Try it.

\(\sqrt{{q}^{2}}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{64{b}^{2}}\)

Solution

\(8\left|b\right|\)

Try it.

\(\text{-}\sqrt{121{a}^{2}}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{225{m}^{2}{n}^{2}}\)

Solution

\(15\left|m\right|\left|n\right|\)

Try it.

\(\text{-}\sqrt{100{q}^{2}}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{49{y}^{2}}\)

Solution

\(7\left|y\right|\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{4{a}^{2}{b}^{2}}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{121{c}^{2}{d}^{2}}\)

Solution

\(11\left|c\right|\left|d\right|\)

Use the Product Property to Simplify Square Roots

In the following exercises, simplify.

Try it.

\(\sqrt{300}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{98}\)

Solution

\(7\sqrt{2}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{{x}^{13}}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{{y}^{19}}\)

Solution

\(\left|{y}^{9}\right|\sqrt{y}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{16{m}^{4}}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{36{n}^{13}}\)

Solution

\(6{n}^{6}\sqrt{n}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{288{m}^{21}}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{150{n}^{7}}\)

Solution

\(5\left|{n}^{3}\right|\sqrt{6n}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{48{r}^{5}{s}^{4}}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{108{r}^{5}{s}^{3}}\)

Solution

\(6{r}^{2}\left|s\right|\sqrt{3rs}\)

Try it.

\(\frac{10-\sqrt{50}}{5}\)

Try it.

\(\frac{6+\sqrt{72}}{6}\)

Solution

\(1+\sqrt{2}\)

Use the Quotient Property to Simplify Square Roots

In the following exercises, simplify.

Try it.

\(\sqrt{\frac{16}{25}}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{\frac{81}{36}}\)

Solution

\(\frac{3}{2}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{\frac{{x}^{8}}{{x}^{4}}}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{\frac{{y}^{6}}{{y}^{2}}}\)

Solution

\({y}^{2}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{\frac{98{p}^{6}}{2{p}^{2}}}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{\frac{72{q}^{8}}{2{q}^{4}}}\)

Solution

\(6{q}^{2}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{\frac{65}{121}}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{\frac{26}{169}}\)

Solution

\(\frac{\sqrt{26}}{13}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{\frac{64{x}^{4}}{25{x}^{2}}}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{\frac{36{r}^{10}}{16{r}^{5}}}\)

Solution

\(\frac{3{r}^{2}\sqrt{r}}{2}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{\frac{48{p}^{3}{q}^{5}}{27pq}}\)

Try it.

\(\sqrt{\frac{12{r}^{5}{s}^{7}}{75{r}^{2}s}}\)

Solution

\(\frac{2\left|r\right|\left|{s}^{3}\right|\sqrt{r}}{5}\)

Condensed: the full section is in OpenStax Elementary Algebra 2e.

ປັດຈຸບັນ​ທ່ານ ບໍ່ມີ​ເຄື່ອງ​ຄິດໄລ່​ທີ່​ຈະ​ແກ້ໄຂ​ບັນຫາ​ນີ້​ໄດ້, ແຕ່​ສ່ວນ​ຂອງ​ມັນ​ສາມາດ​ຄິດໄລ່​ໄດ້. ພະຍາຍາມ​ອັນ​ໃດ​ອັນ​ໜຶ່ງ​ຂ້າງ​ລຸ່ມນີ້ ຫຼື ພິມ​ຕົວ​ເອງ​ເອງ.

ທົດລອງ (40)

ທົດລອງ​ທຸກ​ຢ່າງ​ກ່ອນ​ໜ້າ​ນີ້​ໃນ​ເຈ້ຍ. ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄໍາຕອບ​ເພື່ອ​ກວດ​ສອບ; ຄໍາຕອບ​ທີ່​ໄດ້​ຮັບ​ການ​ກວດ​ສອບ​ສາມາດ​ເປີດ​ໃນ​ຕົວ​ແກ້​ໄຂ​ສຳລັບ​ທຸກ​ບາດກ້າວ.

  1. Add: \(\frac{7}{15}+\frac{5}{12}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    \(\frac{53}{60}\)

  2. Simplify: \({(4{x}^{2}{y}^{5})}^{3}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    \(64{x}^{6}{y}^{15}\)

  3. Simplify: \({5}^{-3}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    \(\frac{1}{125}\)

  4. Write as a radical expression: ⓐ \({x}^{\frac{1}{2}}\) ⓑ \({y}^{\frac{1}{3}}\) ⓒ \({z}^{\frac{1}{4}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    We want to write each expression in the form \(\sqrt[n]{a}\).

    ⓐ

    \({x}^{\frac{1}{2}}\)
    The denominator of the exponent is 2, so the index of the radical is 2. We do not show the index when it is 2.\(\sqrt{x}\)

    ⓑ

    \({y}^{\frac{1}{3}}\)
    The denominator of the exponent is 3, so the index is 3.\(\sqrt[3]{y}\)

    ⓒ

    \({z}^{\frac{1}{4}}\)
    The denominator of the exponent is 4, so the index is 4.\(\sqrt[4]{z}\)

  5. Write as a radical expression: ⓐ \({t}^{\frac{1}{2}}\) ⓑ \({m}^{\frac{1}{3}}\) ⓒ \({r}^{\frac{1}{4}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ \(\sqrt{t}\) ⓑ \(\sqrt[3]{m}\) ⓒ \(\sqrt[4]{r}\)

  6. Write as a radial expression: ⓐ \({b}^{\frac{1}{2}}\) ⓑ \({z}^{\frac{1}{3}}\) ⓒ \({p}^{\frac{1}{4}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ \(\sqrt{b}\) ⓑ \(\sqrt[3]{z}\) ⓒ \(\sqrt[4]{p}\)

  7. Write with a rational exponent: ⓐ \(\sqrt{x}\) ⓑ \(\sqrt[3]{y}\) ⓒ \(\sqrt[4]{z}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    We want to write each radical in the form \({a}^{\frac{1}{n}}\).

    ⓐ

    \(\sqrt{x}\)
    No index is shown, so it is 2.
    The denominator of the exponent will be 2.
    \({x}^{\frac{1}{2}}\)

    ⓑ

    \(\sqrt[3]{y}\)
    The index is 3, so the denominator of the exponent is 3.\({y}^{\frac{1}{3}}\)

    ⓒ

    \(\sqrt[4]{z}\)
    The index is 4, so the denominator of the exponent is 4.\({z}^{\frac{1}{4}}\)

  8. Write with a rational exponent: ⓐ \(\sqrt{s}\) ⓑ \(\sqrt[3]{x}\) ⓒ \(\sqrt[4]{b}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ \({s}^{\frac{1}{2}}\) ⓑ \({x}^{\frac{1}{3}}\) ⓒ \({b}^{\frac{1}{4}}\)

  9. Write with a rational exponent: ⓐ \(\sqrt{v}\) ⓑ \(\sqrt[3]{p}\) ⓒ \(\sqrt[4]{p}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ \({v}^{\frac{1}{2}}\) ⓑ \({p}^{\frac{1}{3}}\) ⓒ \({p}^{\frac{1}{4}}\)

  10. Write with a rational exponent: ⓐ \(\sqrt{5y}\) ⓑ \(\sqrt[3]{4x}\) ⓒ \(3\sqrt[4]{5z}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    We want to write each radical in the form \({a}^{\frac{1}{n}}\).

    ⓐ

    \(\sqrt{5y}\)
    No index is shown, so it is 2.
    The denominator of the exponent will be 2.
    \({(5y)}^{\frac{1}{2}}\)

    ⓑ

    \(\sqrt[3]{4x}\)
    The index is 3, so the denominator of the exponent is 3.\({(4x)}^{\frac{1}{3}}\)

    ⓒ

    \(3\sqrt[4]{5z}\)
    The index is 4, so the denominator of the exponent is 4.\(3{(5z)}^{\frac{1}{4}}\)

  11. Write with a rational exponent: ⓐ \(\sqrt{10m}\) ⓑ \(\sqrt[5]{3n}\) ⓒ \(3\sqrt[4]{6y}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ \({(10m)}^{\frac{1}{2}}\) ⓑ \({(3n)}^{\frac{1}{5}}\) ⓒ \({(486y)}^{\frac{1}{4}}\)

  12. Write with a rational exponent: ⓐ \(\sqrt[7]{3k}\) ⓑ \(\sqrt[4]{5j}\) ⓒ \(8\sqrt[3]{2a}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ \({(3k)}^{\frac{1}{7}}\) ⓑ \({(5j)}^{\frac{1}{4}}\) ⓒ \({(1024a)}^{\frac{1}{3}}\)

  13. Simplify: ⓐ \({25}^{\frac{1}{2}}\) ⓑ \({64}^{\frac{1}{3}}\) ⓒ \({256}^{\frac{1}{4}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ

    \({25}^{\frac{1}{2}}\)
    Rewrite as a square root.\(\sqrt{25}\)
    Simplify.\(5\)

    ⓑ

    \({64}^{\frac{1}{3}}\)
    Rewrite as a cube root.\(\sqrt[3]{64}\)
    Recognize 64 is a perfect cube.\(\sqrt[3]{{4}^{3}}\)
    Simplify.\(4\)

    ⓒ

    \({256}^{\frac{1}{4}}\)
    Rewrite as a fourth root.\(\sqrt[4]{256}\)
    Recognize 256 is a perfect fourth power.\(\sqrt[4]{{4}^{4}}\)
    Simplify.\(4\)

  14. Simplify: ⓐ \({36}^{\frac{1}{2}}\) ⓑ \({8}^{\frac{1}{3}}\) ⓒ \({16}^{\frac{1}{4}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ 6 ⓑ 2 ⓒ 2

  15. Simplify: ⓐ \({100}^{\frac{1}{2}}\) ⓑ \({27}^{\frac{1}{3}}\) ⓒ \({81}^{\frac{1}{4}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ 10 ⓑ 3 ⓒ 3

  16. Simplify: ⓐ \({(-64)}^{\frac{1}{3}}\) ⓑ \(\text{-}{64}^{\frac{1}{3}}\) ⓒ \({(64)}^{-\frac{1}{3}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ

    \({(-64)}^{\frac{1}{3}}\)
    Rewrite as a cube root.\(\sqrt[3]{-64}\)
    Rewrite \(-64\) as a perfect cube.\(\sqrt[3]{{(-4)}^{3}}\)
    Simplify.\(-4\)

    ⓑ

    \(\text{-}{64}^{\frac{1}{3}}\)
    The exponent applies only to the 64.\(\text{-}({64}^{\frac{1}{3}})\)
    Rewrite as a cube root.\(\text{-}\sqrt[3]{64}\)
    Rewrite 64 as \({4}^{3}.\)\(\text{-}\sqrt[3]{{4}^{3}}\)
    Simplify.\(-4\)

    ⓒ

    \({(64)}^{-\frac{1}{3}}\)
    Rewrite as a fraction with a positive exponent, using the property, \({a}^{\text{-}n}=\frac{1}{{a}^{n}}.\)\(\frac{1}{\sqrt[3]{64}}\)
    Write as a cube root.
    Rewrite 64 as \({4}^{3}.\)\(\frac{1}{\sqrt[3]{{4}^{3}}}\)
    Simplify.\(\frac{1}{4}\)

  17. Simplify: ⓐ \({(-125)}^{\frac{1}{3}}\) ⓑ \(\text{-}{125}^{\frac{1}{3}}\) ⓒ \({(125)}^{-\frac{1}{3}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ \(-5\) ⓑ \(-5\) ⓒ \(\frac{1}{5}\)

  18. Simplify: ⓐ \({(-32)}^{\frac{1}{5}}\) ⓑ \(\text{-}{32}^{\frac{1}{5}}\) ⓒ \({(32)}^{-\frac{1}{5}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ \(-2\) ⓑ \(-2\) ⓒ \(\frac{1}{2}\)

  19. Simplify: ⓐ \({(-16)}^{\frac{1}{4}}\) ⓑ \(\text{-}{16}^{\frac{1}{4}}\) ⓒ \({(16)}^{-\frac{1}{4}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ

    \({(-16)}^{\frac{1}{4}}\)
    Rewrite as a fourth root.\(\sqrt[4]{-16}\)
    There is no real number whose fourth power is \(-16.\)

    ⓑ

    \(\text{-}{16}^{\frac{1}{4}}\)
    The exponent only applies to the 16.
    Rewrite as a fourth root.
    \(\text{-}\sqrt[4]{16}\)
    Rewrite \(16\) as \({2}^{4}.\)\(\text{-}\sqrt[4]{{2}^{4}}\)
    Simplify.\(-2\)

    ⓒ

    \({(16)}^{-\frac{1}{4}}\)
    Rewrite using the property \({a}^{\text{-}n}=\frac{1}{{a}^{n}}.\)\(\frac{1}{{(16)}^{\frac{1}{4}}}\)
    Rewrite as a fourth root.\(\frac{1}{\sqrt[4]{16}}\)
    Rewrite \(16\) as \({2}^{4}.\)\(\frac{1}{\sqrt[4]{{2}^{4}}}\)
    Simplify.\(\frac{1}{2}\)

  20. Simplify: ⓐ \({(-64)}^{\frac{1}{2}}\) ⓑ \(\text{-}{64}^{\frac{1}{2}}\) ⓒ \({(64)}^{-\frac{1}{2}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ not real ⓑ \(-8\) ⓒ \(\frac{1}{8}\)

  21. Simplify: ⓐ \({(-256)}^{\frac{1}{4}}\) ⓑ \(\text{-}{256}^{\frac{1}{4}}\) ⓒ \({(256)}^{-\frac{1}{4}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ not real ⓑ \(-4\) ⓒ \(\frac{1}{4}\)

  22. Write with a rational exponent: ⓐ \(\sqrt{{y}^{3}}\) ⓑ \(\sqrt[3]{{x}^{2}}\) ⓒ \(\sqrt[4]{{z}^{3}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    We want to use \({a}^{\frac{m}{n}}=\sqrt[n]{{a}^{m}}\) to write each radical in the form \({a}^{\frac{m}{n}}\).

    1. ⓐ
    2. ⓑ
    3. ⓒ
  23. Write with a rational exponent: ⓐ \(\sqrt{{x}^{5}}\) ⓑ \(\sqrt[4]{{z}^{3}}\) ⓒ \(\sqrt[5]{{y}^{2}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ \({x}^{\frac{5}{2}}\) ⓑ \({z}^{\frac{3}{4}}\) ⓒ \({y}^{\frac{2}{5}}\)

  24. Write with a rational exponent: ⓐ \(\sqrt[5]{{a}^{2}}\) ⓑ \(\sqrt[3]{{b}^{7}}\) ⓒ \(\sqrt[4]{{m}^{5}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ \({a}^{\frac{2}{5}}\) ⓑ \({b}^{\frac{7}{3}}\) ⓒ \({m}^{\frac{5}{4}}\)

  25. Simplify: ⓐ \({9}^{\frac{3}{2}}\) ⓑ \({125}^{\frac{2}{3}}\) ⓒ \({81}^{\frac{3}{4}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    We will rewrite each expression as a radical first using the property, \({a}^{\frac{m}{n}}={(\sqrt[n]{a})}^{m}\). This form lets us take the root first and so we keep the numbers in the radicand smaller than if we used the other form.

    ⓐ

    \({9}^{\frac{3}{2}}\)
    The power of the radical is the numerator of the exponent, 3. Since the denominator of the exponent is 2, this is a square root.\({(\sqrt{9})}^{3}\)
    Simplify.\({(3)}^{3}\)
    \(27\)

    ⓑ

    \({125}^{\frac{2}{3}}\)
    The power of the radical is the numerator of the exponent, 2. The index of the radical is the denominator of the exponent, 3.\({(\sqrt[3]{125})}^{2}\)
    Simplify.\({(5)}^{2}\)
    \(25\)

    ⓒ

    \({81}^{\frac{3}{4}}\)
    The power of the radical is the numerator of the exponent, 3. The index of the radical is the denominator of the exponent, 4.\({(\sqrt[4]{81})}^{3}\)
    Simplify.\({(3)}^{3}\)
    \(27\)

  26. Simplify: ⓐ \({4}^{\frac{3}{2}}\) ⓑ \({27}^{\frac{2}{3}}\) ⓒ \({625}^{\frac{3}{4}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ 8 ⓑ 9 ⓒ 125

  27. Simplify: ⓐ \({8}^{\frac{5}{3}}\) ⓑ \({81}^{\frac{3}{2}}\) ⓒ \({16}^{\frac{3}{4}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ 32 ⓑ 729 ⓒ 8

  28. Simplify: ⓐ \({16}^{-\frac{3}{2}}\) ⓑ \({32}^{-\frac{2}{5}}\) ⓒ \({4}^{-\frac{5}{2}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    We will rewrite each expression first using \({b}^{\text{-}p}=\frac{1}{{b}^{p}}\) and then change to radical form.

    ⓐ

    \({16}^{-\frac{3}{2}}\)
    Rewrite using \({b}^{\text{-}p}=\frac{1}{{b}^{p}}.\)\(\frac{1}{{16}^{\frac{3}{2}}}\)
    Change to radical form. The power of the radical is the numerator of the exponent, 3.
    The index is the denominator of the exponent, 2.
    \(\frac{1}{{(\sqrt{16})}^{3}}\)
    Simplify.\(\frac{1}{{4}^{3}}\)
    \(\frac{1}{64}\)

    ⓑ

    \({32}^{-\frac{2}{5}}\)
    Rewrite using \({b}^{\text{-}p}=\frac{1}{{b}^{p}}.\)\(\frac{1}{{32}^{\frac{2}{5}}}\)
    Change to radical form.\(\frac{1}{{(\sqrt[5]{32})}^{2}}\)
    Rewrite the radicand as a power.\(\frac{1}{{(\sqrt[5]{{2}^{5}})}^{2}}\)
    Simplify.\(\frac{1}{{2}^{2}}\)
    \(\frac{1}{4}\)

    ⓒ

    \({4}^{-\frac{5}{2}}\)
    Rewrite using \({b}^{\text{-}p}=\frac{1}{{b}^{p}}.\)\(\frac{1}{{4}^{\frac{5}{2}}}\)
    Change to radical form.\(\frac{1}{{(\sqrt{4})}^{5}}\)
    Simplify.\(\frac{1}{{2}^{5}}\)
    \(\frac{1}{32}\)

  29. Simplify: ⓐ \({8}^{-\frac{5}{3}}\) ⓑ \({81}^{-\frac{3}{2}}\) ⓒ \({16}^{-\frac{3}{4}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ \(\frac{1}{32}\) ⓑ \(\frac{1}{729}\) ⓒ \(\frac{1}{8}\)

  30. Simplify: ⓐ \({4}^{-\frac{3}{2}}\) ⓑ \({27}^{-\frac{2}{3}}\) ⓒ \({625}^{-\frac{3}{4}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ \(\frac{1}{8}\) ⓑ \(\frac{1}{9}\) ⓒ \(\frac{1}{125}\)

  31. Simplify: ⓐ \(\text{-}{25}^{\frac{3}{2}}\) ⓑ \(\text{-}{25}^{-\frac{3}{2}}\) ⓒ \({(-25)}^{\frac{3}{2}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ

    \(\text{-}{25}^{\frac{3}{2}}\)
    Rewrite in radical form.\(\text{-}{(\sqrt{25})}^{3}\)
    Simplify the radical.\(\text{-}{(5)}^{3}\)
    Simplify.\(-125\)

    ⓑ

    \(\text{-}{25}^{-\frac{3}{2}}\)
    Rewrite using \({b}^{\text{-}p}=\frac{1}{{b}^{p}}.\)\(\text{-}(\frac{1}{{25}^{\frac{3}{2}}})\)
    Rewrite in radical form.\(\text{-}(\frac{1}{{(\sqrt{25})}^{3}})\)
    Simplify the radical.\(\text{-}(\frac{1}{{(5)}^{3}})\)
    Simplify.\(-\frac{1}{125}\)

    ⓒ

    \({(-25)}^{\frac{3}{2}}\)
    Rewrite in radical form.\({(\sqrt{-25})}^{3}\)
    There is no real number whose square root is \(-25.\)Not a real number.

  32. Simplify: ⓐ \({-16}^{\frac{3}{2}}\) ⓑ \({-16}^{-\frac{3}{2}}\) ⓒ \({(-16)}^{-\frac{3}{2}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ \(-64\) ⓑ \(-\frac{1}{64}\) ⓒ not a real number

  33. Simplify: ⓐ \({-81}^{\frac{3}{2}}\) ⓑ \({-81}^{-\frac{3}{2}}\) ⓒ \({(-81)}^{-\frac{3}{2}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ \(-729\) ⓑ \(-\frac{1}{729}\) ⓒ not a real number

  34. Simplify: ⓐ \({2}^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot {2}^{\frac{5}{2}}\) ⓑ \({x}^{\frac{2}{3}}\cdot {x}^{\frac{4}{3}}\) ⓒ \({z}^{\frac{3}{4}}\cdot {z}^{\frac{5}{4}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ

    \({2}^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot {2}^{\frac{5}{2}}\)
    The bases are the same, so we add the exponents.\({2}^{\frac{1}{2}+\frac{5}{2}}\)
    Add the fractions.\({2}^{\frac{6}{2}}\)
    Simplify the exponent.\({2}^{3}\)
    Simplify.\(8\)

    ⓑ

    \({x}^{\frac{2}{3}}\cdot {x}^{\frac{4}{3}}\)
    The bases are the same, so we add the exponents.\({x}^{\frac{2}{3}+\frac{4}{3}}\)
    Add the fractions.\({x}^{\frac{6}{3}}\)
    Simplify.\({x}^{2}\)

    ⓒ

    \({z}^{\frac{3}{4}}\cdot {z}^{\frac{5}{4}}\)
    The bases are the same, so we add the exponents.\({z}^{\frac{3}{4}+\frac{5}{4}}\)
    Add the fractions.\({z}^{\frac{8}{4}}\)
    Simplify.\({z}^{2}\)

  35. Simplify: ⓐ \({3}^{\frac{2}{3}}\cdot {3}^{\frac{4}{3}}\) ⓑ \({y}^{\frac{1}{3}}\cdot {y}^{\frac{8}{3}}\) ⓒ \({m}^{\frac{1}{4}}\cdot {m}^{\frac{3}{4}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ 9 ⓑ \({y}^{3}\) ⓒ m

  36. Simplify: ⓐ \({5}^{\frac{3}{5}}\cdot {5}^{\frac{7}{5}}\) ⓑ \({z}^{\frac{1}{8}}\cdot {z}^{\frac{7}{8}}\) ⓒ \({n}^{\frac{2}{7}}\cdot {n}^{\frac{5}{7}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ 25 ⓑ z ⓒ n

  37. Simplify: ⓐ \({({x}^{4})}^{\frac{1}{2}}\) ⓑ \({({y}^{6})}^{\frac{1}{3}}\) ⓒ \({({z}^{9})}^{\frac{2}{3}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ

    \({({x}^{4})}^{\frac{1}{2}}\)
    To raise a power to a power, we multiply the exponents.\({x}^{4\cdot \frac{1}{2}}\)
    Simplify.\({x}^{2}\)

    ⓑ

    \({({y}^{6})}^{\frac{1}{3}}\)
    To raise a power to a power, we multiply the exponents.\({y}^{6\cdot \frac{1}{3}}\)
    Simplify.\({y}^{2}\)

    ⓒ

    \({({z}^{9})}^{\frac{2}{3}}\)
    To raise a power to a power, we multiply the exponents.\({z}^{9\cdot \frac{2}{3}}\)
    Simplify.\({z}^{6}\)

  38. Simplify: ⓐ \({({p}^{10})}^{\frac{1}{5}}\) ⓑ \({({q}^{8})}^{\frac{3}{4}}\) ⓒ \({({x}^{6})}^{\frac{4}{3}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ \({p}^{2}\) ⓑ \({q}^{6}\) ⓒ \({x}^{8}\)

  39. Simplify: ⓐ \({({r}^{6})}^{\frac{5}{3}}\) ⓑ \({({s}^{12})}^{\frac{3}{4}}\) ⓒ \({({m}^{9})}^{\frac{2}{9}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ \({r}^{10}\) ⓑ \({s}^{9}\) ⓒ \({m}^{2}\)

  40. Simplify: ⓐ \(\frac{{x}^{\frac{4}{3}}}{{x}^{\frac{1}{3}}}\) ⓑ \(\frac{{y}^{\frac{3}{4}}}{{y}^{\frac{1}{4}}}\) ⓒ \(\frac{{z}^{\frac{2}{3}}}{{z}^{\frac{5}{3}}}\).

    ເປີດ​ເຜີຍ​ຄຳ​ຕອບ

    ⓐ

    \(\frac{{x}^{\frac{4}{3}}}{{x}^{\frac{1}{3}}}\)
    To divide with the same base, we subtract the exponents.\({x}^{\frac{4}{3}-\frac{1}{3}}\)
    Simplify.\(x\)

    ⓑ

    \(\frac{{y}^{\frac{3}{4}}}{{y}^{\frac{1}{4}}}\)
    To divide with the same base, we subtract the exponents.\({y}^{\frac{3}{4}-\frac{1}{4}}\)
    Simplify.\({y}^{\frac{1}{2}}\)

    ⓒ

    \(\frac{{z}^{\frac{2}{3}}}{{z}^{\frac{5}{3}}}\)
    To divide with the same base, we subtract the exponents.\({z}^{\frac{2}{3}-\frac{5}{3}}\)
    Rewrite without a negative exponent.\(\frac{1}{z}\)

ຮັກສາ​ການ​ເຮັດວຽກ​ຂອງ​ທ່ານ​ໄວ້

ບັນຊີຟຣີ ເພີ່ມ​ຂໍ້​ມູນ​ໃສ່​ບົດຮຽນ​ທຸກ​ບົດ, ບັນທຶກ​ຂອງ​ສິ່ງທີ່​ທ່ານ​ໄດ້​ເຮັດ​ແລ້ວ, ບັນຫາ​ທີ່​ທ່ານ​ໄດ້​ແກ້​ໄຂ​ໄວ້​ໃນ​ບ່ອນ​ດຽວ ແລະ ຄູ​ສອນ​ທີ່​ທ່ານ​ສາມາດ​ຖາມ​ກ່ຽວກັບ​ໜ້າ​ນີ້. ຄະນິດສາດ​ເອງ​ແມ່ນ​ເປີດ​ໃຫ້​ທຸກ​ຄົນ, ບໍ່​ວ່າ​ຈະ​ໄດ້​ເຂົ້າ​ສູ່​ລະບົບ ຫຼື ບໍ່.

ລົງທະບຽນ ចូល

ຕົວ​ສະ​ແດງ​ທີ່​ໃຊ້​ຢູ່​ທີ່​ນີ້

ກົດ​ຕົວ​ອັກສອນ​ໃດ​ໜຶ່ງ​ເພື່ອ​ເບິ່ງ​ຄວາມ​ໝາຍ​ເຕັມ, ຮູບ ແລະ ຕົວອັກສອນ​ແຕ່ລະ​ຕົວ​ໃນ​ມັນ​ໝາຍ​ຄວາມ​ວ່າ​ແນວໃດ.

ວິທີການ: Rational Exponents

  1. Simplify expressions with
  2. Simplify expressions with
  3. Use the Laws of Exponents to simply expressions with rational exponents
  4. If
  5. If
  6. For any positive integers

ຄໍາຖາມທີ່ຄົນຖາມ

What does it mean to solve an equation?

To find every value of the unknown that makes both sides equal. Each step is an operation applied to both sides that keeps the solution set the same, until the unknown stands alone.

Why do I sometimes get two answers?

A quadratic can cross the axis twice, so it can have two solutions. A degree-n polynomial has up to n. The graph shows where each one comes from.

How do I know whether to factor or use the quadratic formula?

Try factoring for a few seconds: look for two numbers that multiply to a·c and add to b. If nothing obvious appears, the discriminant b² − 4ac tells you how many real roots there are, and the formula finds them without guessing.

ບາງສ່ວນຂອງ ໜ້າ ນີ້ ຖືກປັບແຕ່ງຈາກ OpenStax Elementary Algebra 2e (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). ຖືກ​ປະສົມ​ປະສານ​ແລະ​ອະທິບາຍ​ຄືນ​ໃໝ່​ທີ່​ນີ້; ຄວາມ​ຜິດ​ພາດ​ແມ່ນ​ຂອງ​ເຮົາ. ເນື່ອງຈາກແຫຼ່ງຂອງມັນຖືກອະນຸຍາດໃຫ້ໃຊ້ເພື່ອບໍ່ໃຫ້ເປັນການຄ້າ, ບົດຮຽນນີ້ແມ່ນຟຣີ, ບໍ່ຂາຍຫຍັງ, ແລະ ແບ່ງປັນພາຍໃຕ້ອະນຸຍາດດຽວກັນ.

ເພີ່ມເຕີມໃນ Algebra