Math 103 Section 9.

1 (Rational Exponents)

What are the square roots of 16?

Common Square Roots:

Def: Every positive real number has two square roots 1 positive root and one negative root

0 0 1 1 4 2 9 3 16 4 25 5 36 6

49 7 64 8 81 9 100 10 121 11 144 12 169 13

x
root

is asking for the positive square

x
root

is asking for the negative square

Examples: 1.

36

In general, for any real number a, 2.

144

a a
Square roots of Variable expressions:

3.

49

x2

4.

121 4

x8

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Math 103 Section 9.1 (Rational Exponents)

m10

94
Higher Roots: Cube Roots: 8 means What number do I multiply as a factor three times to get 8?
3

9x 2
Since:

222 8

then

82

Examples:

49r 8

1.

27

121m 6

2.

3 125

3.

64

25 4 x 4
Approximate Square-Roots using calculator: Use calculator to find the followings and round the answer to the nearest thousandth:

Note:

The square root of a negative number is not a real number. The cube root of a negative number is a real number and it is negative.

42

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Math 103 Section 9.1 (Rational Exponents)

Rule : n x

x radicand n Index value

2.

If the index is even, radicand must be positive If the index is odd, radicand can be positive or negative.

3.

16

Common Cube Roots 4.

3
3

0 0 1 1 82 27 3 64 4 125 5
6. 5.
3

27 125

64

Common Fourth Roots:

4

64 216

0 0 1 1 16 4 81 3

Radicals with decimals: 7.

0.0016

8. Examples: 1.

0.000009
4.
3

81
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Math 103 Section 9.1 (Rational Exponents)

Variables under a Radical: 9.

3

0.125

x2

Involving Variables:

x3

Rule:

xn

10.

x6
7

x7

11.

100x 4 y10
What about:

x6
12.
4

81a 6b 4

13.

27 x 9 y15

x12

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Math 103 Section 9.1 (Rational Exponents)

The Product Rule for Square Roots: If a and b represent nonnegative real numbers, then

5.

12 3 18

a b ab

and

ab a b

The Square Root of a product is product of the Square Roots

6. Use the product rule to simplify the expressions. Assume variables represent non-negative real numbers.

7 6 8 6

Examples: 1.

400

7.

5 12 10 27

2.

45 x 5 x
8.
4

x 7 4 x13

3.

3x 27 x 3 m15 n8 6 m9 n 28

9.

4.

24a 6a 3

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Math 103 Section 9.1 (Rational Exponents)

The Quotient Rule for Square Roots: If a and b represent nonnegative real numbers, then

3.

27 x 4 2 3x

The Square Root of a quotient is quotient of the Square Roots Use the quotient rule to simplify the expressions. Assume variables represent non-negative real numbers 4.

a a = and b b

a a b b

16 3 2

Examples:

1.

25 16

5. 2.

45 5

x13 x4

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