Author Milo Koci

Powering with rational exponent

Definition 1. Let us have + , , , . Number power to we define as =

.
1

If we = 0 > 0 then we know that = 0. If = 1 then we know that = . If = 1

then we have that exponent is an integer number.

Example 1. Using definition 1 we can write down in different form this numbers:
14
4
7
1
4 1 1,4 1 10 10 1 14
(0,8) = 7 0,84 ; 5 4 = 51 ; (3) = (3) = (3) ;

Basic properties
1. = +

2. =

3. ( ) =

4. () =

5. () =

3
1,5
7
1 4
Example 2. Calculate : 4 32 5 (16)

3
7
1 4 3 7 3
1
Solution: 41,5 325 (16) = (22 )2 (25 )5 (24 )4 = 23 27 23 = 237+3 = 21 = 2

1 1
Example 3. Compare numbers 92 and 253 .
1 3 1 1
Solution: 92 = 96 = (93 )6 = (729)6
1 2 1 1
253 = 256 = (252 )6 = (625)6
1 1
Because we know that 729 > 625 we conclude that (729)6 > (625)6 .
1 1
We get that 92 > 253 .