Rational Exponent
How to solve and use a rational exponent: formula, 5 examples, and their solutions.
Formula
Formula
n√am = am/n
Example 1
Example
Solution
16 = 24
Power
3√24 = 24/3
So 24/3 is the answer.
Example 2
Example
Solution
a7/9 = 9√a7
So 9√a7 is the answer.
Example 3
Example
Solution
45/2
= (22)5/2
= 22⋅[5/2]
Power of a Power
2⋅[5/2] = 5
25 = 32
So 32 is the answer.
Example 4
Example
Solution
3-7/2⋅35/2 = 3-7/2 + 5/2
Product of Powers
-7/2 + 5/2 = -2/2
-2/2 = -1
3-1 = 1/3
Negative Exponent
So 1/3 is the answer.
Example 5
Example
Solution
Change each radical
to a rational exponent power.
3√x2 = x2/3
6√x
= 6√x1
= x1/6
√x
= 2√x1
= x1/2
So
[3√x2⋅6√x]/√x
= [x2/3⋅x1/6]/x1/2.
[x2/3⋅x1/6]/x1/2
= x2/3 + 1/6 - 1/2
Change the denominators to 6.
[2/3]⋅[2/2] = 4/6
-[1/2]⋅[3/3] = -3/6
4/6 + 1/6 - 3/6
= 5/6 - 3/6
= 2/6
2/6 = 1/3
x1/3
= 3√x1
= 3√x
So 3√x is the answer.