CHAPTER (2)

·"

It
Exponents and Radicals
2.1 Exponents
2
In the example 3 x 3 = 3 , the exponent is 2 and base is 3.
2
3 can be also read as 3 to the second power or 3 squared.
2.1.1 Positive Integral Exponents
In general, if a is any real number and n is a positive integer,
then the nth power of a is
axaxaxax
\ v
... xa=a n I

n factors
where the number a is called the base and n is called the exponent
or index.
2.1.2 Zero and Negative Integeral Exponents
Definition: For any real number x, if x "* 0, then xO= 1.
For example, 3o = 1
(-4) o = 1
0
Note that 0 is indeterminate
Definition. For any real number x, if x "* 0, then x-I = -.1n
x
For example, 5-2 = _1 =_1
52 25

(
1) - 4 _
3 ­ ur-i· ­
1 -l-34

,~
.«

Consequently_l- = xn
-n
X
 2

, Example h, Evaluate the following:

'1 - 3- 4 1
(i) 4-3 (ii) SO - SxO- (Sxr - (Sx)O.
Solution
3-4 43 64
( i) - 3 = - 4 = ­
4- 3 81

(ii) SO - Sxo - (Sx)" - (Sx)o = 1 - S(1) - _1 - I

Sx
1
- 1-S---1
Sx
1
= -S--
Sx
2.1.3 Rules for Integral Exponents

We assume that x anx y be any real numbers and m and n are

positive integers.
Rule 1 (Multiplication)
xm .xn =xm+n
For example, 33 . 35 = 33+5 = 38

2 6 2+6 8

x . x =x =x

Rule 2 (Division)

x m - n , if m > n
m
xm .
.. x 1,
Xn = --­ if m = n
n ,I
x .'
n~m , if m < n, x '¢ 0
x
 3

For example;
it ­ 5
5
3 + 3 2 -- -3 = 3 5-2 = 33
3
2
3 1 = ___
1
a -- a5
a3 + a8 = ga a 8-3
4
4 4
a + a 4 = 1
= SL-
a
Rule 3 (Power of a Power)
Ir-(-xm-)-n-=-xmn-I

For example,
(2 3)4 ­ 2 3.4 = 2 12
(x4 )2 - x4.2 = x 8

Rule 4 (Power of a Product)

\-(x-y-t--=-x-n-.-y-n I
For example,
(2 . 3)4 = 24 . 3 4
5 5 5
(xy) = x .y

Rule 5 (Power of a Quotient)

( yx s: y '* 0
In = yn ,~
,.1:
 4

For example,

(1)2_
'S 2
3
5 -­
52

x _ x
3

(J
y - 3""'" y:;i: 0
Y

Example 2. Simplify and name the rules used,

7

2)3 (iv) Y
5 b5 ( V) 7

( 1' ) X 7 , X4 (")
11 a 15 + a7 ("')
111 (b Iva,
Solution 4

(i)
1 7
x,x 4 =x7+4 = x11
(Multiplication Rule)

.. ) 15 7 15-7 8

( 11 a + a = a = a (Division Rule)
(iii) (b2 )3 = b6 (Power of a Power Rule)

(iv) a 5
, b 5 = (ab)5 (Power ofa Product Rule)

(v) - = y7 (YJ7
- (Power ofa Quotient Rule)
47 4

-8Ix3 4

Example 3. (i) ( 27xy J ~ 1

(ii) (a- b-3r2

Solution
, -SIx y 3 4J3 2 3

(1) ( 27xy
3 = (-3x y) (Division Rule)
3 2 3 3 ,4

- (-3) (x ) y (PowerofaProductRule)
-'

6 3

- - 27x y (Power of a Power Rule)

 5

r r
(ii) (4"lb-3)~2 _ = (a- 1 2(b-3 2 r (Power ofa Product Rule)
_ a2 b6

Example 4. Evaluate (16 .27J2.(50)3

25 36·

Solution c62:7r(~~f = [2:tr[:;.::J

_ (2 4 .33)2 (2.5 2)3
(5 2)2 (2 2.3 2)3
2 8 .3 6 23 .5 6
54 2 6.36
_ 25.52
- 32.25
- 800

(x 2 2)3
E xample 5. Evaluate - y
(x+ y)3

(x2 _ y2)3 ((x + y)(x _ y))3

Solution ­
(x + y)3 (x+y)3
(x+y)3(x_y)3
-
(x+y)3 ,~
.r

_ (x_y)3
 6

<, Exercise (2.1)

'$'
1. Simplify by using the rules ofexponents and name the rules
used.
4 5 2 5 4b 5 6
(a) 36a b (b) 27a b. (c) (-135a c J2
100a 7b 3 (9a 2b)2 315a 6b7 8
c

(d) (;: n~~ r (e) 2

2. Evaluate the following.

32

542 x12 3 x64 2(32 x4 3 x5 2 )3

(a) ---------'-------:--~ (b)
(32 x 15 x 20 3) 4
(33~Y(55~r
33 )3(768)4(450)3
(c) ( 1056 270 48

3. Simplify.

(a) ( n r
3m
150
45°
255m
20 x
(b) (400 YJ
2( 2r

150y
180 x

3
(c) (x - y3)(x + y) (d)
(Xa-bXb-C)a( x:
x
r
(x2 _y2)3 (xbxc)a + (xa+c)c

4. Evaluate the following. ,",

1 .'
(a) (-3r
2
(b) - 3-3 (c) - 2° + 5-
 7

27-6 9- 2
(cDt<-2{" + )-2 _ 2-4 (e) SO _ (_3)0
(t) 12S- 3 + 2S- 4

(g) (_S)O _ (-SrI - (-Sr2 - (-Sr 3 (h) (_1)(-1)-1

(i)
(180 2)-3(6.90-2)3 (2-3 _3- 2 ) - 1

(40-3 )2 . 2S- 2 U) (2-3 +3- 2)-1

S. Simplify the following.

J
~ ~
4 -7 2x- 4 x 2m+nx3(m-n)
(a) (-3a )(4a) (b)
( 2 3
Sy z
(c) ( m-2n 2m-n
x x
J
2x-3y2 4x- 2 y3. 81x- 2
2
(d) (3-ly3
J 2(3x 5 '" y-3J( J­ 2x+y
(e) x-I +2y-1

-2 -2 (-1)2
(t) (x-2 _ y -1)-3 ( ) x -y
g -I -I
(h) x+Y
1 -I-I
x +Y +x Y

2.1.4 Rational Exponents

Definition. Ifn is a positive integer and x and y are real numbers,

n
such that x = y, then x is called the nth root ofy.
For example,
3
(i) 2 = 8

2 is the cube root of 8.

,~

(ii) (_2)3 = - 8 :'

-2 is the cube root of - 8.

 8

(iii) f.3)4 = 81

I t _ 3 is the fourth root of 81.

4
(iv) 3 = 81

3 is the fourth root of 81.

Definition. For a real number x and an integer n(n > 2),

1
X n = ~ ,when n is even, x must be positive or zero.
1 1 1
Example 6. Simplify (a) 16 2 (b) 83 (c) (-27)3
1
Solution (a) 16 2 = .J16 = 4
1
(b) 83 = W = 2
1
(c) (-27)3 = ~-27 = -3

Definition. If m and n are positive integers and m is a rational

n
number in lowest terms, then for any real number x,

x~ = ~xrn = (rtX)rn
when n is even, x must be positive or zero.
2
The following calculation for (-8)6 is false
because the exponent ~ is not in lowest terms.

(-8)i =~( 8)2 =W4 =2 X

..
2 .,'
Calculate (-8)6 as follows:
2 1
(-8)6 =(-8)3 =~ 8 =-2 ./
 9

r Defin,ition.."Ifm and n are any positive integers, then for any real
.! ­

number x"* 0, x -r;: = _1_.

m
x n

For example,

2
(i) 83 = _1
2 = 1 -
_ -
1­ 1
83 (W)2 2 2 - 4
7
(ii) 3is =_1_=
7 1 - _ -
1­ 1
3is (~32) 2 -128

7 7

Example 7. Simplify and express the answer with positive

exponents (2m~J-2m

~2m+l
Soltuion

( 2m ~J-2m 2 m2- lf ] - 2m
m+l
~2m+l ( 2-2

_ (2m-~-m;T2m
_I ) - 2m
_ 2 2
(
,..4
.'
'jl1
 10

, Note It~at the rules for integral exponents hold for all rational
exponents. The following are some useful expressions:
2 2
x -y - (x + y)(x - y)

1 1·1111

x-y ­ (x2)2 - (y2)2 = (x2 + y2)(X 2 _ y2)

1 1
1 1 1 1 1 1
-2 4 4 4 4 4
x2 _y2 = (x ") -(y )=(x +y )(x -y )
3 3
X -y = (x - y)(x2 +IXY+ y2)1 1 2
1 - -3 - 211 ­
X - Y
= (x 3)3_(y3)3 =(x _y3)(X 3 +x 3y3 +y3)
x 3+y3 = (x + y)(x2 - xy + y2
)
1 1 11 2 1 1 2­
3
x+y = (x 3)3+(y3)3=(x +y3)(x3_x3y3+y3)

1 _1 1 1
2 2
ExampleS. Simplify (x +Y 2)(X -y-2)
1 _1 1 l'
(x 2 + Y 2)(X 4 _ Y-"4)
Solution
1 _1 1 _1
x_y-l (x 2 + Y 2)( X2 _ Y 2)

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

(x 2 + Y-2)( x 4 _ Y-"4) (x 2 + Y-2)( x 4 _ Y-4)

1 _1

(x2 _y 2)
1 1
(x4 _y-4)
.''0
 11

.... 1 1
'
_ X4 + y-4
is
1
_ x 4 +_1_
1
y2
.1 1
X 4 y4 +1
1
y4

Exercise (2.2)
1. Evaluate the following.
.2­ 3 2
(a) (125)3 (b) (81)2 (c) (-27)3
3 1
(d) (~~)-4
2
(e) (-1 25
+ J4)3 (f) (0.125)-3
2

(g) (~i )-3 (h) (-4f l + (_1)-4

2. Simplify the following.

(a) ~42 At .ur t (b)

512x27-3 x81x3 8
34

(c) ((~t r· ·~(~r

5
+16- .
05

421
1 (243)5 + (64)3 - (216)3
(d) (27)4 + 24 2 + Vi
,A
;i.!

(e) 1 1
(8)-3 (4)-5 (225)2 - (16)4
 12
'''''
r 3. Simplify thefollowing.

(a) x- s.JX + (1 +
x-2.JX -IS .JX
2.-)-1 (b) ~~ .b~~ .~~
VX Vi 'o/X
-2
Xffi_yffi Xffi_yffi
(c)
[ m
x2 _y2
m - m
x2 +y2
m

1
2.2 Radicals

Defmition. The symbol ~ is called a radical, rf'

is the radical

sign, n is the order or index, and b is called the

radicand.
2.2.1 Rules for Radicals

For any positive integers m, nand k,

Rule 1 I nJF = ~I
For example, (~)' = 5

~ = b

Rule 2 I ~ =J1Y =JfXY I

For example V5 .'J./20 = 'J./5.20 = 'J./I00 d'
"

~x2.vy = ~x2y
 13

Rule,~ f~ = ~ I
For example,

~~5 = ~

~tJx5 = 1~x5

Rule 4 I ~=~, y se O
,

For example,
W=~
9 W
~X5 #x5
y3
= ~y3

Rule 5 I (a) ~
x = ~km
x

,
(b) n

~xm = ~
k
xl(,
m
k ee O
For example,

~ - 3xtf52 = ~52

~b3 = 5x~b3x3 = 1~b9

§J25 - ~52 =~ "A

,.j,!

If/b3 -
~
 14

r Exalll-we 9. "'Simplify the following.

(a) -J27 (b) Vf6 (c) ~"--~1-28 (d) ~ 32 (e) -J72
Solution

(a) -J27 = -J9x3=·~32x3=3.J3

(b) Vf6 = ~8 x 2 = ~ 23 x 2 = 2lfi
(c) ~~128 = ~128 = ~26 x2 = 2 W2
(d) ~ 32= ~ =-2
(e) -J72 = -J36x 2 = ~62 x 2 = 6-J2

Example 10. Change the expression with the same radical and
simplify the radicands.
(a) 5am (b)~.J3 (c) ifi m (d) -J2x ~3y
Solution

(a) 5am - V(5a) m = ~illa3 m = V375a 3

(b) ~.J3 - ~52 ~33 =~25x27 =~675
(c) ifim - 1~23 1~34 = 1~8x81 = 1%48
(d) -J2x ~3y - ~(2x)3 ~(3y)2 =~8x3 x9y2 =~72x3y2 ,~
"
 15

-, Exercise (2.3)
't
1. Write the following in radical form.
1 1 1 2 5
(a) (5)2 (b) (-9)3 (c) (2)-2 (d) (-lf5 (e) (2)2
4 7
2. Write the following in fractional exponent form.

(a) ~ (b) ~ 2 (c) Va Vb

4 5
(d) ~(~y
3. Change the expression with the same radical and simplify the
radicands.
(a) 6-fi (b) 3at'X (c) 2 Vi (d) 3 tff (e) 3..[,;3
4. Simplify.
~81X2

16
(a) m. (b) ~ 32 (c) ~/81x
16y4
(d)
4y

1 .
92 {2 f75 ~~6 (h) nUL
(e) 'J.}27 (f) ~3 ·V98 (g) ~ 8x103 ~25+n
5. Rationalize the denominators.
4-135 20 ~ 'J.}32 ~36a2
(a) 3-J7 (b).J5 (c) Vi (d) ~27 (e) 'J.}9a
Vi 1 2x 2 y3rn
(f) ~ (g) ~xy2 (h) 9x 5 y 4rn- l

6. Reduce the order as far as possible.

(a) ~25 (b) if4 (c) ~ (d) ~8y3
3
(e) ~273 .
,• i::

(f) V
a2b4 (g) 1~ 64a 2b6
(h) (72)5 (i) 'J.}768
 16

r 7. Find the simplified forms.

't ~

(a) Ho (b) ~ ~~2 (c) ifJ6 (d) 2 ~56

2.3 Operations· with Radicals

Example 11. Multiply -16 by ..Ji5 and express in the simplest

form,

Solution -16 . ..Ji5 = -J6T5 =~2 .3 .3 . 5 =3M

Example 12. Multiply {/i2 by M.

Soltuion {/i2 . M = ~ . ~

- ~122 .10 3

_ ~(3.22)2 .(2.5)3

- ~32.24.23.53
- ~32.26. 2 .53
- 2 ~2250

Example 13. Simplify .J3(.J3 +.J8).

Solution .J3(.J3 +.J8) = .J3 ..J3 +.J3 ..J8

- 3 + .J24
- 3+ ~22.6 ,~
-'

- 3+2-16
 17

r Example 14: .Simplify ,J200 + -J5O -.J18.

Solution

,J200 + -J5O -.J18 = .J2 .100 + .J2. 25 - f2:9

= 10.J2 + 5.J2 - 3 .J2
= (l0+5-3).J2
= 12.J2

Example 15. .)24 + -if - ~.

Solution

.)24+-if-~ = ~22. 6 + .J2 _ Vi

,fj V3 2
_ Vi Vi
2-16 + .J2 . ,fj _
-J3 .J3 V3 2 · Vi
_ 2-16 + -16 _ W
3'Jj33
_ 2-16 + -16 _ W
3 3

- (2 + ~).)6 - ~
-<~
.'
_ 7 -16 _lW
3 3
 18

'4:"

It - . . . f i - 3.J3
Example 16. Simplify 2.fi -.J3 .
Solution
.fi -3.J3 .fi-3.J3 2.fi +.J3

2.fi -.J3 - 2.J2 -.J3 . 2.J2 + .J3

4.}6 - 6.}6 - 9
4x2-3
-5-5.}6
5
-5(1+.}6)
5
- - (1 + .}6)
In rationalizing the denominator, we multiply it by its conjugate.
This process is based on the fact that
2 2
(a + b)(a - b) = a -b .
Each of the two factors is called the conjugate of the other.
Thus (1) a + .Jb and a - .Jb
(2) a+b~ anda- b ~
(3) -Ja + .Jb and -Ja - .Jb
(4) a.Jb + c-Jd and a.Jb - c-Jd

.~

.'
are conjugate radicals.
 19

., Exercise (2.4)
It
1. Simplify the following.
(a) 3$ + 7$ (b) -J75 - M (c) 3. 3-J3 .s-Iii

(d) 2$. 3-fi (e) (4 - .J3)2 (f) (-J3 + 2-fi)(-J3 + 2-fi)

(g) (-J7 ­ -}6)( -J7 + -}6)( -IX + 1)(-IX -1)

(h) -J75 - ~ -J48 -5M (i) ~2x2 +5~32x2 -2~98x2

U) ~20a3 + a.J5a + ~80a3
2. Rationalise the denominators and simplify.
2 5 12
(a) J5 (b) 2+.J3 (c) $--J3

(d) -fi+1 ( ) -J7 +3-fi -JU --JU

2-fi -1 e -J7--fi (f) -JU +-JU
1 (h) -}6 + 1
(g) z-Ii - -J3 3 ---;[5
3. Write as a single fraction.
1 + 1 2 1
() (b) M r- +---=-­
a -J3+1 -J3-1 ",7+-...)

() 1 + 1 +1 (d) 7 +.[5 + -JU-3 ,..'

c 3+-J3 -J3-3 -J3 7-$ -JU+3
 20

3+'2.n ~X+l +~X 1_ ~

(e)r (t)
(.J3-I)2 x-I x-t l ~x2-I

m2 _2-
()g '\i2- +.J43

2.4 Exponential Equations

x 5x-1
3 = 81 and 2 = 32 are some examples of exponential
equations. Some exponential equations may be solved using the
m
'* '*
fact that, ifx" = x , then n = m for x 0 and x 1.

3x- 1 = 32.
Example 17. Solve the equation 2
Soltuion 2 3x-1 - 32
23x- 1 = 2 5
3x -1 = 5

3x = 6

x = 2

x- 1
Example 18. Solve the equation 32x+l . 27 = 81.
Soltuion 32x+l . 27 x-1 = 81
32x+l . (3 3)x-l = 34
32x+l . 33x-3 = 34

35x-2 = 34

5x - 2 = 4
"~
,oil!

5x = 6
x = ­6
5
 21

r Exa~ple 19. Solve the equation 2 . 2 2x - 7 . 2x - 4 = O.

Soltul6n
2x x
2 .2 - 7.2 - 4 = 0
x
Let 2 = a
2 .
2a -7a - 4 = 0
(2a + 1)(a - 4) = 0
2a + 1 = 0 or a-4=0
1
a = - - or a= 4
2
2x = _ 1 or 2
x=4
2
x 2
impossible (or) 2 = 2
. x = 2
Exercise (2.5)
Solve the following equations.
2x
1. 3 -3 = 27 2x 2. 5x 2 - 9 =1
3
.
5x+1 = _1_
625 4.
UT=64
5. 2 3x . 4 x+1 = 128 6
.
3 x+1 92-x = _1
. 27

7. 27 2x _ 32x +1
3 5- x 9 x +3
x 1
8. 8 - = 3
12 ( fl
9. 10-x = 0.000001 10.4x + 4x+1 = 20 ,~

11. 4. 2
2x
+ 3 . 2x - 1 = 0