Irrational Number Rationalize

When a radical contains an expression that is not a perfect root, for example, the square root
of 3 or cube root of 5, it is called an irrational number. So, in order to rationalize the

denominator, we need to get rid of all radicals that are in the denominator.
Step 1: Multiply numerator and denominator by a radical that will get rid of the radical in
the denominator.
If the radical in the denominator is a square root, then you multiply by a square
root that will give you a perfect square under the radical when multiplied by the
denominator. If the radical in the denominator is a cube root, then you multiply by
a cube root that will give you a perfect cube under the radical when multiplied by
the denominator and so forth...
Note that the phrase "perfect square" means that you can take the square root of
it. Just as "perfect cube" means we can take the cube root of the number, and so
forth.
Keep in mind that as long as you multiply the numerator and denominator by the
exact same thing, the fractions will be equivalent.
Step 2: Make sure all radicals are simplified.
Some radicals will already be in a simplified form, but make sure you simplify the
ones that are not. If you need a review on this, go to Tutorial 39: Simplifying
Radical Expressions.
Step 3: Simplify the fraction if needed.
Be careful. You cannot cancel out a factor that is on the outside of a radical with
one that is on the inside of the radical. In order to cancel out common factors, they
have to be both inside the same radical or be both outside the radical.
Example 1: Rationalize the denominator .
the denominator.
Since we have a square root in the denominator, then we need to multiply by the
square root of an expression that will give us a perfect square under the radical in
the denominator.
Square roots are nice to work with in this type of problem because if the radicand is
not a perfect square to begin with, we just have to multiply it by itself and then we
have a perfect square.
So in this case we can accomplish this by multiplying top and bottom by the
square root of 6:
*Mult. num. and den. by sq. root of 6
*Den. now has a perfect square under sq. root
Step 2: Make sure all radicals are simplified
AND

*Sq. root of 36 is 6
*Divide out the common factor of 2
Be careful when you reduce a fraction like this. It is real tempting to cancel the 3
which is on the outside of the radical with the 6 which is inside the radical on the
last fraction. You cannot do that unless they are both inside the same radical or
both outside the radical like the 4 in the numerator and the 6 in the denominator
were in the second to the last fraction.
the denominator.
Since we have a cube root in the denominator, we need to multiply by the cube
root of an expression that will give us a perfect cube under the radical in the
denominator.
So in this case, we can accomplish this by multiplying top and bottom by the cube
root of :
*Mult. num. and den. by cube root of
*Den. now has a perfect cube under cube root
AND
*Cube root of 27 a cube is 3a
As discussed in example 1, we would not be able to cancel out the 3 with the 18 in
our final fraction because the 3 is on the outside of the radical and the 18 is on the
inside of the radical.
Also, we cannot take the cube root of anything under the radical. So, the answer
we have is as simplified as we can get it.
Rationalizing the Numerator

(with one term)
As mentioned above, when a radical cannot be evaluated, for example, the square root of 3
or cube root of 5, it is called an irrational number. So, in order to rationalize the numerator,
we need to get rid of all radicals that are in the numerator.
Note that these are the same basic steps for rationalizing a denominator, we are just
applying to the numerator now.
the numerator.
If the radical in the numerator is a square root, then you multiply by a square root
that will give you a perfect square under the radical when multiplied by the
numerator. If the radical in the numerator is a cube root, then you multiply by a
cube root that will give you a perfect cube under the radical when multiplied by the
numerator and so forth...
Note that the phrase "perfect square" means that you can take the square root of
it. Just as "perfect cube" means we can take the cube root of the number, and so
forth.

one that is on the inside of the radical. In order to cancel out common factors, they
have to be both inside the same radical or be both outside the radical.
Example 3: Rationalize the numerator .
the numerator.
Since we have a square root in the numerator, then we need to multiply by the
square root of an expression that will give us a perfect square under the radical in
the numerator.
So in this case, we can accomplish this by multiplying top and bottom by the
square root of 5:
*Mult. num. and den. by sq. root of 5
*Num. now has a perfect square under sq. root

AND
*Sq. root of 25 is 5
As discussed above, we would not be able to cancel out the 5 with the 30 in our
final fraction because the 5 is on the outside of the radical and the 30 is on the
inside of the radical.
Also, we cannot take the square root of anything under the radical. So, the answer
Example 4: Rationalize the numerator .
the numerator.
Since we have a cube root in the numerator, we need to multiply by the cube root
of an expression that will give us a perfect cube under the radical in the
numerator.
So in this case, we can accomplish this by multiplying top and bottom by the cube
root of :
*Mult. num. and den. by cube root of
*Num. now has a perfect cube under cube root
AND
*Cube root of 8 x cube is 2x
As discussed above, we would not be able to cancel out the 2x with the 4 x squared
in our final fraction, because the 2x is on the outside of the radical and the
4 x squared is on the inside of the radical.
Also, we cannot take the cube root of anything under the radical. So, the answer
Rationalizing Denominators
Above we talked about rationalizing the denominator with one term. Again, rationalizing
the denominator means to get rid of any radicals in the denominator.
Because we now have two terms, we are going to have to approach it differently than when
we had one term, but the goal is still the same.
Step 1: Find the conjugate of the denominator.
You find the conjugate of a binomial by changing the sign that is between the two
terms, but keep the same order of the terms.
a + b and a - b are conjugates of each other.
Step 2: Multiply the numerator and the denominator of the fraction by the conjugate found
in Step 1 .

one that is on the inside of the radical. In order to cancel out common factors,
they have to be both inside the same radical or be both outside the radical.
Example 5: Rationalize the denominator
In general the conjugate of a + b is a - b and vice versa.
So what would the conjugate of our denominator be?
It looks like the conjugate is .
in Step 1.
*Mult. num. and den. by conjugate of den.

*Product of the sum and diff. of two terms
AND
No simplifying can be done on this problem so the final answer is:
In general the conjugate of a + b is a - b and vice versa.
So what would the conjugate of our denominator be?
It looks like the conjugate is .
in Step 1 .
*Mult. num. and den. by conjugate of den.

*Use FOIL method in num.
*Product of the sum and diff. of two terms
AND
*12 is (4)(3) and sq. root of 4 is 2

*18 is (9)(2) and sq. root of 9 is 3
Polynomial Inequality
Here are the steps required for Solving Polynomial Inequalities:
Step 1: Write the polynomial in the correct form. The polynomial must be written in
descending order and must be less than, greater than, less than or equal to, or greater
than or equal to zero.
Step 2: Find the key or critical values. To find the key/critical values, set the equation equal to
zero and solve.
Step 3: Make a sign analysis chart. To make a sign analysis chart, use the key/critical values
found in Step 2 to divide the number line into sections.
Step 4: Perform the sign analysis. To do the sign analysis, pick one number from each of the
sections created in Step 3 and plug that number into the polynomial to determine the
sign of the resulting answer. The sign of this answer (positive or negative) will be sign
of the entire section. You can check different number from the same section if you
want to verify your answer.
Step 5: Use the sign analysis chart to determine which sections satisfy the inequality. If the
inequality is less than zero or less than or equal to zero, then you want all of the
negative sections found in the sign analysis chart. If the inequality is greater than zero
or greater than or equal to zero, then you want all of the positive sections found in the
sign analysis chart.
Step 6: Use interval notation to write the final answer.
Example 1 – Graph:
Step 1: Write the polynomial in the correct

form. The polynomial must be written in
descending order and must be less than,
greater than, less than or equal to, or greater
Step 2: Find the key or critical values. To find

the key/critical values, set the equation
equal to zero and solve.
Step 3: Make a sign analysis chart. To make a
sign analysis chart, use the key/critical values
found in Step 2 to divide the number line
into sections.
Step 4: Perform the sign analysis. To do the

sign analysis, pick one number from each of
the sections created in Step 3 and plug that
number into the polynomial to determine
the sign of the resulting answer. In this case,
you can choose x = –3 which results in +7, x =
0 which results in –8, and x = 5 which results
in +7.
Step 5: Use the sign analysis chart to

determine which sections satisfy the
inequality. In this case, we have greater than
or equal to zero, so we want all of the
positive sections.
Step 6: Use interval notation to write the

final answer.



into sections.
you can choose x = –4 which results in +3, x =
–2 which results in –1, and x = 0 which
results in +3.

inequality. In this case, we have less than or
equal to zero, so we want the negative
section.

final answer.
Click Here for Practice Problems



into sections.
you can choose x = –4 which results in –35, x
= 0 which results in +9, x = 2 which results in
–5, and x = 4 which results in +21.

inequality. In this case, we have less than
zero, so we want all of the negative sections.

final answer.



into sections.

you can choose x = –5 which results in +56, x
= –2 which results in –16, x = 0 which results
in +16, and x = 3 which results in –56.

inequality. In this case, we have greater than
zero, so we want all of the positive sections.

final answer.
Rational Inequality
Solving rational inequalities is very similar to solving polynomial inequalities. But because rational
expressions have denominators (and therefore may have places where they're not defined), you have
to be a little more careful in finding your solutions.
To solve a rational inequality, you first find the zeroes (from the numerator) and the undefined points
(from the denominator). You use these zeroes and undefined points to divide the number line into
intervals. Then you find the sign of the rational on each interval.
 Solve the following:
First, I'll factor everything:
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This polynomial fraction will be zero wherever the numerator is zero, so I'll set the numerator equal to
zero and solve:
(x + 2)(x + 1) = 0
x + 2 = 0 or x + 1 = 0
x = –2 or x = –1
The fraction will be undefined wherever the denominator is zero, so I'll set the denominator equal to
zero and solve:
(x + 4)(x – 4) = 0
x + 4 = 0 or x – 4 = 0
x = –4 or x = 4
These four values, –4, –2, –1, and 4, divide the number line into five intervals, namely:
(–infinity, –4), (–4, –2), (–2, –1), (–1, 4), and (4, +infinity).
I could use "test points" to find the solution to the inequality, by picking an x-value in each interval,
plugging it into the original rational expression, simplifying to get a numerical answer, and then
checking the sign, but that process gets long and annoying (and is prone to errors), so I'll use the
easier and faster factor-table method instead.
My factor table looks like this:
My table has one row for each

factor, a row for the number line,
and a row for the rational
expression. Each row is split into
columns, with each column
corresponding to one of the
intervals on the number line.
The sign of the rational expression is a result of the signs of its various factors, so I need to find where
each factor is positive: Copyright © Elizabeth Stapel 2005-2011 All Rights Reserved
x+4>0 for x > –4

x+2>0 for x > –2
x+1>0 for x > –1
x–4>0 for x>4
Now I can put "plus" signs on the intervals in each row where that row's factor is positive:
Wherever a factor isn't positive, it's negative, so I'll put "minus" signs in the other intervals of each
row:
Multiplying the signs down the columns, I get the overall sign on the original rational expression on
each interval:
Then the rational is positive on the intervals (–infinity, –4), (–2, –1), and (4, +infinity).
Looking back at the original exercise, this is an "or equal to" inequality, so I need to consider the
interval endpoints, too. If this were a polynomial inequality, I could just throw all the interval
endpoints into the solution, and I'd be done. For rationals, though, I have to be careful not to include
any x-values that would cause division by zero.
The intervals' endpoints are –4, –2, –1, and 4. I can include –2 and –1 in the solution, because they just
make the expression equal to zero by making the numerator zero. But plugging in –4 or4 would
cause division by zero, making the rational expression undefined, so I can't include these values in the
solution.
Then the full solution is:
If you have to write your solution in "inequality" notation, it would look like this:
x < –4, –2 < x < –1, and x > 4

Don't forget: "Infinity" is not a "number" in the way that, say, "2" is. "Infinity" cannot be "included" in
your solution, so never draw a square bracket next to an "infinity" "endpoint".
In the previous example, the sign of the rational expression alternated with the intervals. Don't
assume that this will always be true.
 Solve the following:
This is already factored for me, so I don't have to bother with that. I'll go straight to finding the zeroes
(from the numerator) and the undefined points (from the denominator):
–2x – 10 = 0 3–x=0 x2 + 5 = 0 x–2=0

–2x = 10 3=x x2 = –5 x=2
x = –5 no solution
So the number line is split into the intervals (–infinity, –5), (–5, 2), (2, 3), and (3, +infinity). Now I'll find
where each factor is positive:
–2x – 10 > 0 3–x>0 x2 + 5 > 0 x–2>0

–2x > 10 3>x x2 > –5 x>2
x < –5 x<3 always true
The negative factor, –2x – 10, and the "backwards" factor, 3 – x, gave me "backwards" inequalities, so
the factor table looks like this:
(The "x – 2" factor is listed twice, because that factor occurs twice. If that factor had been cubed, it
would have been listed in the table three times. The x2 + 5 factor has all "plus" signs in its row,
because this factor is never zero or negative.)
Looking at the signs in the bottom row, I see that the rational expression is negative on the
intervals (–5, 2) and (2, 3). Since this problem is not an "or equal to" inequality, I don't need to
consider the endpoints; I know they don't belong in the solution. But I do need to remember that x=
2 is not part of the solution, and I must resist the impulse to join these two intervals together (by
throwing in x = 2) to get an incorrect solution of (–5, 3).
Since I can't include x = 2, the solution is two separate intervals:
(–5, 2) and (2, 3)
Note: If you'd factored the –2x – 10 and the 3 – x factors to convert them to the usual form for factors,
you would have gotten the same zeroes, the same intervals, and the same final answer. The only
difference would have been the inclusion of an additional factor in the factor table. First, you'd have
factored: Copyright © Elizabeth Stapel 2005-2011 All Rights Reserved
Then you'd have found the endpoints and the signs on each interval:
2>0 x+5>0 x–3>0 x2 + 5 > 0 x–2>0

always x > –5 x>3 x2 > –5 x>2
always
And then you'd have filled out your (only slightly longer) factor table, and would then have read off
the solution from the bottom row:
The solution would still have been the same two intervals: (–5, 2) and (2, 3)
When working these problems, remember to be careful of constant factors (like "2") and backwards
factors (like "3 – x"). And make sure to be careful about which endpoints you include for "or equal to"
inequalities. But as long as you are methodical in factoring, in finding the zeros and the undefined
points, and in finding the signs of each factor on each interval, you should consistently get the right
answers.
Integral exponents
Integral Exponents
In this section, we will discuss positive and negative integral exponents of rational numbers.
Positive Integral Exponents of a Rational Number
Let a/b any rational number and positive exponent to it be 'n' then
(a/b) n = a/b x a/b x a/b x ....x n times
It means, (a x a x ...x n times)/(b x b x b x ...x n times )
In short it can written as,
(a/b)n = an/bn
Examples :
1) (3/2) 3
Solution :
(3/2) 3
= 3 3 /2 3
= (3 x 3 x 3)/(2 x 2 x 2 )
= 27/8
2) (5/-3) 4
Solution :
(5/-3) 4
= 5 4 /(-3) 4
= (5 x 5 x 5 x 5)/[(-3) x (-3) x (-3) x (-3)]
= 625/81
3) [(-2)/7] 3
Solution :
[(-2)/7] 3
= (-2) 3 /7 3
=[(-2) x (-2) x (-2)]/(7 x 7 x 7)
= -8/343
4) (5/11) 0
Solution :
(5/11) 0
= 5 0 /11 0
= 1/1
=1
Negative Integral of a Rational Number
Let a/b any rational number and negative exponent to it be 'n' then
(a/b) -n = 1 ÷ [a/b x a/b x a/b x ....x n times]
It means, 1 ÷ [(a x a x ...x n times)/(b x b x b x ...x n times )]
So, (a/b) -n = (b x b x b x ...x n times)/(a x a x ...x n times)

[ As there is division so flip the numbers so a/b ----> b/a]
(a/b) -n = (b/a)n = bn/an
Examples :
1) (3/5) -2
Solution :
(3/5) -2
As the exponent is negative, so flip the numbers.
3/5 ----> 5/3 with positive exponent 2
(3/5) -2 = (5/3) 2
(5/3) 2
= 5 2 /3 2
= 25/9
2) [(-7)/2] -3
Solution :
[(-7)/2] -3
As the exponent is negative, so flip the numbers.
(-7)/2 ----> 2/(-7) with positive exponent 3
[2/(-7)] 3
= 2 3 /(-7) 3
= 8/-343
Law of Exponents
Below is List of Rules for Exponents and an example or two of using each rule:
Zero-Exponent Rule: a0 = 1, this says that

anything raised to the zero power is 1.
Power Rule (Powers to Powers): (am)n = amn,

this says that to raise a power to a power
you need to multiply the exponents. There
are several other rules that go along with the
power rule, such as the product-to-powers
rule and the quotient-to-powers rule.
Negative Exponent Rule: , this says

that negative exponents in the numerator
get moved to the denominator and become
positive exponents. Negative exponents in
the denominator get moved to the
numerator and become positive exponents.
Only move the negative exponents.
Product Rule: am ∙ an = am + n, this says that to

multiply two exponents with the same base,
you keep the base and add the powers.
Quotient Rule: , this says that to

divide two exponents with the same base,
you keep the base and subtract the powers.
This is similar to reducing fractions; when
you subtract the powers put the answer in
the numerator or denominator depending on
where the higher power was located. If the
higher power is in the denominator, put the
difference in the denominator and vice
versa, this will help avoid negative
exponents.
Now that we have reviewed the rules for exponents, here are the steps required for simplifying
exponential expressions (notice that we apply the rules in the same order the rule were written
above):
Step 1: Apply the Zero-Exponent Rule. Change anything raised to the zero power into a 1.
Step 2: Apply the Power Rule. Multiply (or distribute) the exponent outside the parenthesis
with every exponent inside the parenthesis, remember that if there is no exponent
shown, then the exponent is 1.
Step 3: Apply the Negative Exponent Rule. Negative exponents in the numerator get moved to
the denominator and become positive exponents. Negative exponents in the
denominator get moved to the numerator and become positive exponents. Only move
the negative exponents. Note that the order in which things are moved does not
matter.
Step 4: Apply the Product Rule. To multiply two exponents with the same base, you keep the
base and add the powers.
Step 5: Apply the Quotient Rule. This is similar to reducing fractions; when you subtract the
powers put the answer in the numerator or denominator depending on where the
higher power was located. If the higher power is in the denominator, put the
difference in the denominator and vice versa, this will help avoid negative exponents
and a repeat of step 3.
Step 6: Raise each coefficient (or number) to the appropriate power and then simplify or
reduce any remaining fractions.
Example 1 – Simplify:
Step 1: Apply the Zero-Exponent Rule. In this

case, there are no zero powers.
Step 2: Apply the Power Rule.
Step 3: Apply the Negative Exponent Rule.

Move every negative exponent in the
numerator to the denominator and vice
versa.
Step 4: Apply the Product Rule.
Step 5: Apply the Quotient Rule. In this case,

the x’s ended up in the denominator because
there were 10 more x’s in the denominator.
Step 6: Raise each coefficient (or number) to

the appropriate power and then simplify or
reduce any remaining fractions. In this case,
the fraction does not reduce.
Example 2 –Simplify:
Step 1: Apply the Zero-Exponent Rule.

versa.
Step 4: Apply the Product Rule. In this case,

the product rule does not apply.

the quotient rule does not apply.


versa.

the product rule does not apply.

the x’s ended up in the numerator and the
y’s ended up in the denominator.

case, after applying the zero-exponent rule
and multiplying by 1, that term is essentially
gone.
Step 2: Apply the Power Rule. In this case, I

kept the –2 in parentheses because I did not
want to lose the negative sign.

versa.
Step 4: Apply the Product Rule.

the x’s ended up in the denominator.

the fraction does reduce.


versa.

we can apply the rule to the x’s and y’s in the
numerator.

the x’s ended up in the numerator and the
y’s ended up canceling out.

the numbers in the numerator get multiplied
together and then the fraction gets reduce.

Simplifying Exponential Expressions
Learning Objective(s)
· Use the product rule to multiply exponential expressions with like bases.
· Use the power rule to raise powers to powers.
· Use the quotient rule to divide exponential expressions with like bases.
· Simplify expressions using a combination of the properties.
Introduction
Exponential notation was developed to write repeated multiplication more efficiently. There are
times when it is easier to leave the expressions in exponential notation when multiplying or dividing.
Let’s look at rules that will allow you to do this.
The Product Rule for Exponents
Recall that exponents are a way of representing repeated multiplication. For example, the notation
54 can be expanded and written as 5 • 5 • 5 • 5, or 625. And don’t forget, the exponent only applies to
the number immediately to its left, unless there are parentheses.
What happens if you multiply two numbers in exponential form with the same base? Consider the
expression (23)(24). Expanding each exponent, this can be rewritten as (2 • 2 • 2) (2 • 2 • 2 • 2)
or 2 • 2 • 2 • 2 • 2 • 2 • 2. In exponential form, you would write the product as 27. Notice, 7 is the sum
of the original two exponents, 3 and 4.
What about (x2)(x6)? This can be written as (x • x)(x • x • x • x • x • x) = x • x • x • x • x • x • x • x or x8.

And, once again, 8 is the sum of the original two exponents.
The Product Rule for Exponents
For any number x and any integers a and b, (xa)(xb) = xa+b.

To multiply exponential terms with the same base, simply add the exponents.
Example
Problem Simplify.
(a3)(a7)
(a3)(a7) The base of both exponents is a,

so the product rule applies.
a3+7 Add the exponents with a

common base.
Answer (a3)(a7) = a10
When multiplying more complicated terms, multiply the coefficients and then multiply the variables.
Example
Problem Simplify.
5a4 · 7a6
35 · a4 · a6 Multiply the coefficients.
35 · a4+6 The base of both exponents is a,

so the product rule applies. Add
the exponents.
35 · a10 Add the exponents with a

common base.
Answer 5a4 · 7a6 = 35a10

Simplify the expression, keeping the answer in exponential notation.
(4x5)( 2x8)
A) 8x5 • x8
B) 6x13
C) 8x13
D) 8x40
Show/Hide Answer
The Power Rule for Exponents
Let’s simplify (52)4. In this case, the base is 52 and the exponent is 4, so you multiply 52 four
times: (52)4 = 52 • 52 • 52 • 52 = 58 (using the Product Rule – add the exponents).
(52)4 is a power of a power. It is the fourth power of 5 to the second power. And we saw above that
the answer is 58. Notice that the new exponent is the same as the product of the original exponents:
2 •4 = 8.
So, (52)4 = 52 • 4 = 58 (which equals 390,625, if you do the multiplication).
Likewise, (x4)3 = x4 • 3 = x12.
This leads to another rule for exponents—the Power Rule for Exponents. To simplify a power of a
power, you multiply the exponents, keeping the base the same. For example, (23)5 = 215.
The Power Rule for Exponents
For any positive number x and integers a and b: (xa)b= xa· b.
Example
Problem Simplify.
6(c4)2
6(c4)2 Since you are raising a power to a power,

apply the Power Rule and multiply
exponents to simplify. The coefficient
remains unchanged because it is outside
of the parentheses.
Answer 6(c4)2 = 6c8
Example
Problem Simplify.
a2(a5)3
Raise a5 to the power of 3 by multiplying

the exponents together (the Power Rule).
Since the exponents share the same

base, a, they can be combined (the
Product Rule).
Answer
Simplify:
A)
B)
C)
D)
Show/Hide Answer
The Quotient Rule for Exponents
Let’s look at dividing terms containing exponential expressions. What happens if you divide two
numbers in exponential form with the same base? Consider the following expression.
You can rewrite the expression as: . Then you can cancel the common factors of 4 in the
numerator and denominator:
Finally, this expression can be rewritten as 43 using exponential notation. Notice that the exponent, 3,
is the difference between the two exponents in the original expression, 5 and 2.
So, = 45-2 = 43.
Be careful that you subtract the exponent in the denominator from the exponent in the numerator.
or
= x7−9 = x-2
So, to divide two exponential terms with the same base, subtract the exponents.
The Quotient Rule for Exponents
For any non-zero number x and any integers a and b:
Notice that = 40. And we know that = = 1. So this may help to explain why 40 = 1.
Example
Problem
Evaluate.
These two exponents have the

same base, 4. According to the
Quotient Rule, you can subtract
the power in the denominator
from the power in the numerator.
Answer
= 45
When dividing terms that also contain coefficients, divide the coefficients and then divide variable
powers with the same base by subtracting the exponents.
Example
Problem
Simplify.
Separate into numerical and

variable factors.
Since the bases of the

exponents are the same, you
can apply the Quotient Rule.
Divide the coefficients and
subtract the exponents of
matching variables.
Answer
Applying the Rules
All of these rules of exponents—the Product Rule, the Power Rule, and the Quotient Rule—are helpful
when evaluating expressions with common bases.
Example
Problem
Evaluate when x = 4.
Separate into numerical

and variable factors.
Divide coefficients, and

subtract the exponents of
the variables.
Simplify.
Substitute the value 4 for

the variable x.
Answer
= 768
Usually, it is easier to simplify the expression before substituting any values for your variables, but
you will get the same answer either way.
Example
Problem
Simplify.
Use the order of operations with

PEMDAS:
E: Evaluate exponents. Use the

Power Rule to simplify (a5)3.
M: Multiply, using the Product

Rule as the bases are the same.
D: Divide using the Quotient Rule.
Answer
Summary
There are rules that help when multiplying and dividing exponential expressions with the same base.
To multiply two exponential terms with the same base, add their exponents. To raise a power to a
power, multiply the exponents. To divide two exponential terms with the same base, subtract the
exponents.
Simplifying Radicals
To simplify radicals, rather than looking for perfect squares or perfect cubes within a number or a
variable the way it is shown in most books, I choose to do the problems a different way, and here is
how.
Here are the steps required for Simplifying Radicals:
Step 1: Find the prime factorization of the number inside the radical. Start by dividing the
number by the first prime number 2 and continue dividing by 2 until you get a decimal
or remainder. Then divide by 3, 5, 7, etc. until the only numbers left are prime
numbers. Click on the link to see some examples of Prime Factorization. Also factor
any variables inside the radical.
Step 2: Determine the index of the radical. The index tells you how many of a kind you need
to put together to be able to move that number or variable from inside the radical to
outside the radical. For example, if the index is 2 (a square root), then you need two of
a kind to move from inside the radical to outside the radical. If the index is 3 (a cube
root), then you need three of a kind to move from inside the radical to outside the
radical.
Step 3: Move each group of numbers or variables from inside the radical to outside the
radical. If there are nor enough numbers or variables to make a group of two, three, or
whatever is needed, then leave those numbers or variables inside the radical. Notice
that each group of numbers or variables gets written once when they move outside
the radical because they are now one group.
Step 4: Simplify the expressions both inside and outside the radical by multiplying. Multiply all
numbers and variables inside the radical together. Multiply all numbers and variables
outside the radical together.
Step 1: Find the prime factorization of the

number inside the radical.
Step 2: Determine the index of the radical. In

this case, the index is two because it is a
square root, which means we need two of a
kind.
Step 3: Move each group of numbers or
variables from inside the radical to outside
the radical. In this case, the pair of 2’s and
3’s moved outside the radical.
Step 4: Simplify the expressions both inside

and outside the radical by multiplying.

number inside the radical and factor each
variable inside the radical.

this case, the index is three because it is a
cube root, which means we need three of a
kind.

the radical. In this case, the 3’s, x’s (two
groups), and y’s moved outside the radical.


this case, the index is five because it is a fifth
root, which means we need five of a kind.

the radical. In this case, the 3’s, x’s, and y’s
moved outside the radical.



this case, the index is two because it is a
square root, which means we need two of a
kind.

the radical. In this case, the 2’s, 3’s, x’s (two
groups), and y’s (four groups) moved outside
the radical.


this case, the index is four because it is a
fourth root, which means we need four of a
kind.

the radical. In this case, the pair of 2’s and y
’s moved outside the radical.



this case, the index is three because it is a
cube root, which means we need three of a
kind.

the radical. In this case, the 2’s, 3’s, x’s, and
y’s (two groups) moved outside the radical.

Irrational Number Rationalize

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Irrational Number Rationalize

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When a radical contains an expression that is not a perfect root, for example, the square root

of 3 or cube root of 5, it is called an irrational number. So, in order to rationalize the

Step 2: Make sure all radicals are simplified.

Step 3: Simplify the fraction if needed.

*Mult. num. and den. by sq. root of 6

*Den. now has a perfect square under sq. root

Step 2: Make sure all radicals are simplified

Step 3: Simplify the fraction if needed.

*Divide out the common factor of 2

Example 2: Rationalize the denominator .

*Den. now has a perfect cube under cube root

Step 2: Make sure all radicals are simplified

Step 3: Simplify the fraction if needed.

*Cube root of 27 a cube is 3a

Rationalizing the Numerator

Step 2: Make sure all radicals are simplified.

Step 3: Simplify the fraction if needed.

Example 3: Rationalize the numerator .

*Mult. num. and den. by sq. root of 5

*Num. now has a perfect square under sq. root

Step 3: Simplify the fraction if needed.

Example 4: Rationalize the numerator .

*Mult. num. and den. by cube root of

*Num. now has a perfect cube under cube root

Step 2: Make sure all radicals are simplified

Step 3: Simplify the fraction if needed.

*Cube root of 8 x cube is 2x

Step 1: Find the conjugate of the denominator.

a + b and a - b are conjugates of each other.

Step 3: Make sure all radicals are simplified.

Step 4: Simplify the fraction if needed.

Example 5: Rationalize the denominator

Step 1: Find the conjugate of the denominator.

In general the conjugate of a + b is a - b and vice versa.

So what would the conjugate of our denominator be?

It looks like the conjugate is .

*Mult. num. and den. by conjugate of den.

Step 3: Make sure all radicals are simplified

No simplifying can be done on this problem so the final answer is:

Example 6: Rationalize the denominator .

Step 1: Find the conjugate of the denominator.

In general the conjugate of a + b is a - b and vice versa.

So what would the conjugate of our denominator be?

It looks like the conjugate is .

*Mult. num. and den. by conjugate of den.

Step 4: Simplify the fraction if needed.

*12 is (4)(3) and sq. root of 4 is 2

Here are the steps required for Solving Polynomial Inequalities:

Step 6: Use interval notation to write the final answer.

Step 1: Write the polynomial in the correct

Step 2: Find the key or critical values. To find

Step 4: Perform the sign analysis. To do the

Step 5: Use the sign analysis chart to

Step 6: Use interval notation to write the

Step 1: Write the polynomial in the correct

Step 2: Find the key or critical values. To find

Step 3: Make a sign analysis chart. To make a

Step 5: Use the sign analysis chart to

Step 6: Use interval notation to write the

Click Here for Practice Problems

Step 1: Write the polynomial in the correct

Step 2: Find the key or critical values. To find

Step 3: Make a sign analysis chart. To make a