9.2 Rational Exponents Objectives 1. 2. 3. Use exponential notation for nth roots. Define am/n.

Convert between radicals and rational exponents.

4.

Use the rules for exponents with rational exponents.

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

Sec 9.2 - 1

9.2 Rational Exponents Exponents of the Form a1/n

a1/n If
n

a is a real number, then

a1/n =

a .

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Sec 9.2 - 2

9.2 Rational Exponents EXAMPLE 1 Evaluating Exponentials of the Form a1/n

Evaluate each expression. (a) 271/3 = 641/2 =

3

27

= 3

(b)

64
4

= 8

(c)

6251/4 =

625 = 5

(d)

(625)1/4

625

is not a real number because the radicand, 625, is negative and the index is even.

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

Sec 9.2 - 3

9.2 Rational Exponents Caution on Roots

CAUTION Notice the difference between parts (c) and (d) in Example 1. The radical in part (c) is the negative fourth root of a positive number, while the radical in part (d) is the principal fourth root of a negative number, which is not a real number.

EXAMPLE 1
(c) 6251/4 = (625)1/4 =
4 4

625 = 5 625 is not a real number because the radicand, 625, is negative and the index is even.
Sec 9.2 - 4

(d)

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

9.2 Rational Exponents EXAMPLE 1 Evaluating Exponentials of the Form a1/n

Evaluate each expression. (e) (243)1/5 =

5

243

= 3

(f)

4 25

1/2

4 25

2 5

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

Sec 9.2 - 5

9.2 Rational Exponents Exponents of the Form am/n

am/n If m and n are positive integers with m/n in lowest terms, then am/n = ( a1/n ) m, provided that a1/n is a real number. If a1/n is not a real number, then am/n is not a real number.

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

Sec 9.2 - 6

9.2 Rational Exponents EXAMPLE 2 Evaluating Exponentials of the Form am/n

Evaluate each exponential. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) 253/2 = ( 251/2 )3 = 53 = 125 322/5 = ( 321/5 )2 = 22 = 4 274/3 = ( 27)4/3 = ( 271/3 )4 = (3)4 = 81 (64)2/3 = [(64)1/3 ]2 = (4)2 = 16 (16)3/2 is not a real number, since (16)1/2 is not a real number.

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

Sec 9.2 - 7

9.2 Rational Exponents EXAMPLE 3 Evaluating Exponentials with Negative Rational Exponents

Evaluate each exponential. (a) 324/5 By the definition of a negative exponent, 324/5 =
4

1 . 4/5 32

Since

324/5

32

= 24

= 16,

= 324/5 =

1 324/5

1 . 16
Sec 9.2 - 8

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

9.2 Rational Exponents EXAMPLE 3 Evaluating Exponentials with Negative Rational Exponents

Evaluate each exponential. (b) 8 27

4/3

1 8 27

4/3

1 8 3 27 b a
m

1 2 3

1 16 81

81 16

We could also use the rule

a b
4

here, as follows.

8 27

4/3

27 8

4/3

27 3 8

3 2

81 16

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

Sec 9.2 - 9

9.2 Rational Exponents Caution on Roots

CAUTION When using the rule in Example 3 (b), we take the reciprocal only of the base, not the exponent. Also, be careful to distinguish between exponential expressions like 321/5, 321/5, and 321/5. 321/5 = 2, 321/5 = 1 , 2 and 321/5 = 1 . 2

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

Sec 9.2 - 10

9.2 Rational Exponents Alternative Definition of am/n

am/n If all indicated roots are real numbers, then am/n = ( a1/n ) m = ( a m ) 1/n.

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

Sec 9.2 - 11

9.2 Rational Exponents Radical Form of am/n

Radical Form of am/n If all indicated roots are real numbers, then am/n =
n

am = ( n a )

In words, we can raise to the power and then take the root, or take the root and then raise to the power.

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

Sec 9.2 - 12

9.2 Rational Exponents EXAMPLE 4 Converting between Rational Exponents and Radicals

Write each exponential as a radical. Assume that all variables represent positive real numbers. Use the definition that takes the root first. (a) 151/2 = 15 (b) 105/6 = ( 6 10 )5

(c)

4n2/3

= 4( 3 n )2

(d)

7h3/4 (2h)2/5 = 7( 4 h )3 ( 5 2h )2 1 g4/5 1 ( 5 g )4

Sec 9.2 - 13

(e)

g4/5

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

9.2 Rational Exponents EXAMPLE 4 Converting between Rational Exponents and Radicals

In (f) (h), write each radical as an exponential. Simplify. Assume that all variables represent positive real numbers. (f) 33 = 331/2

(g)

3 76

76/3

72

49

(h)

5 m5

m, since m is positive.

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

Sec 9.2 - 14

9.2 Rational Exponents Rules for Rational Exponents

Rules for Rational Exponents Let r and s be rational numbers. For all real numbers a and b for which the indicated expressions exist: ar as = ar + s ar 1 = r a a b ar = ar s as
r

a b

br = r a

ar

ar s

( ab )

a r br

ar = r b

ar

1 a

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

Sec 9.2 - 15

9.2 Rational Exponents EXAMPLE 5 Applying Rules for Rational Exponents

Write with only positive exponents. Assume that all variables represent positive real numbers. (a) 63/4 61/2 = 63/4 + 1/2 = 65/4 Product rule

(b)

32/3 35/6

= 32/3 5/6 = 31/6 =

1 31/6

Quotient rule

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

Sec 9.2 - 16

9.2 Rational Exponents EXAMPLE 5 Applying Rules for Rational Exponents

Write with only positive exponents. Assume that all variables represent positive real numbers.

(c)

m1/4 n6 m8 n2/3

3/4

(m1/4)3/4 (n6)3/4 ( m8)3/4 (n2/3)3/4 m3/16 n9/2 m6 n1/2 m3/16 6 n9/2 (1/2) m99/16 n5 n5 m99/16 Definition of negative exponent
Sec 9.2 - 17

= = = =

Power rule

Quotient rule

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

9.2 Rational Exponents EXAMPLE 5 Applying Rules for Rational Exponents

Write with only positive exponents. Assume that all variables represent positive real numbers. (d) x3/5(x1/2 x3/4) = x3/5 x1/2 x3/5 x3/4 Distributive property

= x3/5 + (1/2) x3/5 + 3/4 = x1/10 x27/20

Product rule

Do not make the common mistake of multiplying exponents in the first step.

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

Sec 9.2 - 18

9.2 Rational Exponents Caution on Converting Expressions to Radical Form

CAUTION Use the rules of exponents in problems like those in Example 5. Do not convert the expressions to radical form.

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

Sec 9.2 - 19

9.2 Rational Exponents EXAMPLE 6 Applying Rules for Rational Exponents

Rewrite all radicals as exponentials, and then apply the rules for rational exponents. Leave answers in exponential form. Assume that all variables represent positive real numbers. (a)
4

a3

a2 = a3/4 a2/3 = a3/4 + 2/3 = a9/12 + 8/12 = a17/12

Convert to rational exponents. Product rule Write exponents with a common denominator

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

Sec 9.2 - 20

9.2 Rational Exponents EXAMPLE 6 Applying Rules for Rational Exponents

Rewrite all radicals as exponentials, and then apply the rules for rational exponents. Leave answers in exponential form. Assume that all variables represent positive real numbers.
4

(b)

c
c3

= = = = =

c1/4 c3/2 c1/4 3/2 c1/4 6/4 c5/4 1 c5/4

Convert to rational exponents.

Quotient rule Write exponents with a common denominator

Definition of negative exponent

Sec 9.2 - 21

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

9.2 Rational Exponents EXAMPLE 6 Applying Rules for Rational Exponents

Rewrite all radicals as exponentials, and then apply the rules for rational exponents. Leave answers in exponential form. Assume that all variables represent positive real numbers.
5 3 x2 5

(c)

x2/3

( x2/3 )1/5

x2/15

Copyright 2006 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Pearson Addison-Wesley

Sec 9.2 - 22