Rational Exponents and

Radicals
Precalculus/ Trigonometry
9-STE
October 1, 2021
Rational Exponents
𝟏
If 𝒏 is a natural number greater than 1, and 𝒙 is a real number, then 𝒙 𝒏
is a rational exponent.
Rational exponents are exponents composed of rational numbers or
fractions.
Example 1
Find out which of the following expressions have rational exponents.
5
1. 2𝑥 4

2. 𝑎𝑏𝑐 2 − 5𝑦
𝑎𝑧 −1
3. 𝑘
3 5
4. 𝑡 2
5
4
5. 8𝑏𝑐 13
Law of Exponents
Example 2
Simplify each of the following expressions that have rational exponents.
2
−7
1. 5
3 5
2. 𝑥 −2 𝑦 5
𝑎𝑧 −1
3. 2
𝑧8
2 3 −1
−
4. 5 7 ⋅5 7
4
8𝑏𝑐 13
5. 3
−
2𝑏 13 𝑐
Radicals

The radical sign ( ) indicates

that a root is being taken.
Index is the root of the radical.
Usually, it is read as “nth root”.
Radicand is the expression
inside the radical sign.
Rational
Exponents into
Radicals
Examples
 Rational
Exponents into
Radicals
Examples
Radicals into
Rational
Exponents
Example
Write the expressions with radicals into expressions with rational
exponents.
1. 8 + 2𝑦 3

2. 3𝑎𝑏𝑐
3. 𝑥 − 3 4𝑥𝑦
4
4. 3𝑎𝑏 𝑐 − 5 𝑥 𝑥 2
Simplifying Radical Expressions
Note
A radical expression will
be in simplest form if:
• It has been
factored
completely and all
perfect factors
removed;
• It cannot contain a
fraction; and
• If it is in fractional
form, the
denominator
cannot contain a
radical expression.
Example
Simplify the following:
1. 56
2. 3 27
3
3. 81𝑥 7 𝑦 4 𝑧 6
3
4. 49
3 𝑥
5. 125
81𝑎𝑏
6. 36𝑐 2 𝑑
Performing Operations on Radical
Expressions
Addition/Subtraction of Radical Expressions
• In order to add/subtract radical expressions, we need to make sure
that the expressions have exactly the same radical forms.
• Sometimes, we need to simplify first before adding/subtracting.
Example
Perform the indicated operations.
1. 2 5 + 3 5
2. 2 5 − 3 5
5 5
3. 2 𝑥 2 𝑦 + 7 𝑥 2 𝑦
5 5
4. 2 𝑥2𝑦 − 7 𝑥2𝑦
5. 27 + 48
6. 27 − 48
Multiplication/Division of Radical Expression
• In order to multiply/divide radical expressions, we need to make sure
that the expressions have the same index.
𝑎 𝑎
𝑎 ⋅ 𝑏 = 𝑎𝑏 or =
𝑏 𝑏
• First, multiply/divide the numbers or variables outside the radical, the
multiply/divide the numbers or variables inside the radical.
Example
Perform the indicated operation.
1. 2 5 ⋅ 3 5
2 5
2. 3 5
6 6
3. 𝑥 3𝑦4 ⋅ 𝑥 2𝑦2
6
𝑥 3 𝑦4
4. 6
𝑥 2 𝑦2
5. 3𝑥 − 4 3𝑥 + 2
3 5
6. 2 3
Rationalizing the Denominators; Standard
Form

It is often useful to eliminate the radical in a denominator by

multiplying both numerator and denominator by an appropriate
expression. This procedure is called rationalizing the denominator.
For instance,
1 1 1 𝑎 𝑎
= ⋅1= ⋅ =
𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎 𝑎
Rationalizing the Denominators; Standard
Form

𝑛
In general, if the denominator is of the form 𝑎𝑚 with 𝑚 < 𝑛, then
𝑛
multiplying the numerator and denominator by 𝑎𝑛−𝑚 will rationalize
the denominator, because (for 𝑎 > 0)
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
𝑎𝑚 ⋅ 𝑎𝑛−𝑚 = 𝑎𝑚+𝑛−𝑚 = 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎
A fractional expression whose denominator contains no radicals is
said to be in standard form.
Example 12

Put each fractional expression into standard form by rationalizing the

denominator.
2
a)
3
1
b) 3
5

7 1
c) 𝑎2
Exercise
Exercise
Performance Assessment 1
Analyze the problem and answer the following question. Write your
answer in a long-sized bond paper.
2.