480 Chapter 7 Radicals and Complex Numbers

Objectives section 7.2 Rational Exponents

1n mn
1. Definition of a and a
2. Converting Between
Rational Exponents and
Radical Notation
3. Properties of Rational
Exponents
4. Applications Involving
Rational Exponents
1. Definition of a1n and a mn
In Section 1.8, the properties for simplifying expressions with integer exponents
were presented. In this section, the properties are expanded to include expres-
sions with rational exponents. We begin by defining expressions of the form a1n.
Definition of a1n
n
Let a be a real number, and let n be an integer such that n 7 1. If 1a is a
real number, then
a1n  2a
n

Skill Practice example 1 Evaluating Expressions of the Form a1n

Convert the expression to Convert the expression to radical form and simplify, if possible.
a. 182 1 3 d. 11002 1 2
radical form and simplify, if
possible. b. 811 4 c. 1001  2 e. 161 2
1. 1614
Solution:
2. 182 1 3
a. 182 13  1
3
3. 3612 8  2
4. 1492 12 b. 8114  1
4
81  3
5. 4912 c. 10012  1  10012 The exponent applies only to the base of 100.
 12100
 10
d. 11002 12 is not a real number because 1100 is not a real number.

e. 1612  1 Write the expression with a positive exponent.

1612 1
Recall that bn  n .
b
1

116
1

4

a is a real number, then we can define an expression of the form amn in

n
If 1
such a way that the multiplication property of exponents still holds true. For
example,
11614 2 3  1 1 162 3  122 3  8
4

1634
1163 2 14  2
Answers 4 4
163  2 4096  8
1
1. 2 2. 2 3.
6
4. Not a real number 5. 7
 Section 7.2 Rational Exponents 481

Definition of a m/n
Let a be a real number, and let m and n be positive integers such that m and
n
n share no common factors and n 7 1. If 1 a is a real number, then
amn  1a1n 2 m  1 1a2 m amn  1am 2 1n  1am
n n
and

The rational exponent in the expression amn is essentially performing two

operations. The numerator of the exponent raises the base to the mth power.
The denominator takes the nth root.

example 2 Evaluating Expressions of the Form a m/n Skill Practice

Convert each expression to radical form and simplify. Convert each expression to
32 radical form and simplify.
c. a b
1
a. 823 b. 10052 d. 432 6. 932
25
7. 853
Solution: 8. 3245

a. 823  1 1
1 4 3
9. a b
3
82 2 Take the cube root of 8 and square the result.
27
 122 2 Simplify.
4

b. 10052  1 11002 5 Take the square root of 100 and raise the result to
the fifth power.
 1102 5 Simplify.
 100,000

1 32 1 3
c. a b a b Take the square root of 1
and cube the result.
25 A 25 25

1 3
a b Simplify.
5
1

125

1
d. 432  Write the expression with positive exponents.
432
1

1 142 3
Take the square root of 4 and cube the result.

1
 Simplify.
23
1

8
Answers
6. 27 7. 32
1 1
8. 9.
16 81
482 Chapter 7 Radicals and Complex Numbers

Calculator Connections
A calculator can be used to confirm the results of
Example 2(a)2(c).

2. Converting Between Rational Exponents and Radical Notation

Skill Practice example 3 Using Radical Notation and Rational Exponents

Convert each expression to Convert each expression to radical notation. Assume all variables represent
radical notation. Assume all positive real numbers.
b. 15x2 2 13
variables represent positive
real numbers. a. a35 c. 3y14 d. z34
10. t 45
Solution:
11. 12y 3 2 14
a. a35  2a or Q 2 a R3
5 3 5
12. 10p12
13. q23 b. 15x2 2 13  2
3
5x2
c. 3y14  31
4
y Note that the coefficient 3 is not raised to the 14 power.
1 1
d. z34   4
z3/4 2z3

Skill Practice example 4 Using Radical Notation and Rational Exponents

Convert to an equivalent Convert each expression to an equivalent expression by using rational expo-
expression using rational nents. Assume that all variables represent positive real numbers.
exponents. Assume all 4 3
variables represent positive a. 2b b. 17a c. 71a
real numbers.
3 2
14. 2x Solution:
b  b34
4 3
15. 15y a. 2
16. 51y b. 17a  17a2 12
c. 71a  7a1 2

3. Properties of Rational Exponents

In Section 1.8, several properties and definitions were introduced to simplify
Answers
5 4
expressions with integer exponents. These properties also apply to rational
10. 2t 11. 24
2y 3 exponents.
1
12. 10 2p 13. 3
2q2
14. x 2  3 15. 15y2 1 2
1 2
16. 5y
 Section 7.2 Rational Exponents 483

Properties of Exponents and Definitions

Let a and b be nonzero real numbers. Let m and n be rational numbers such
that am, an, and bn are real numbers.
Description Property Example
13 43
1. Multiplying like bases a a a
m n mn
x x  x53
am x35
2. Dividing like bases  amn  x25
an x15
3. The power rule 1am 2 n  amn 1213 2 12  216
4. Power of a product 1ab2 m  ambm 1xy2 12  x12y12
a m am 4 12 412
a b  m a b  12 
2
5. Power of a quotient
b b 25 25 5
Description Definition Example
m
1 13 1
am  a b  m 182 13  a b 
1 1
1. Negative exponents
a a 8 2
2. Zero exponent a0  1 50  1

example 5 Simplifying Expressions with Rational Exponents Skill Practice

Use the properties of exponents to simplify the expressions. Assume all Use the properties of exponents
variables represent positive real numbers. to simplify the expressions.
Assume all variables represent
81cd2 13
a. y25y35 b. 1s4t8 2 14 c. a b positive real numbers.
3c2d4 17. x 1 2  x 34
18. 1a3b2 2 1 3
Solution:
32y 2 z3 14
a. y y 25 35
y 1252  1352
Multiply like bases by adding 19. a b
2y2 z 5
exponents.
 y55 Simplify.
y

b. 1s4t 8 2 14  s44t84 Apply the power rule. Multiply

exponents.
 st 2 Simplify.

81cd2 13
c. a b  127c1122d24 2 13 Simplify inside parentheses. Subtract
3c2d4 exponents.
 127c3d 6 2 13
27c3 13
a b Simplify the negative exponent.
d6
2713c33
 Apply the power rule. Multiply
d63 exponents. Answers
17. x 5/4
3c 18. ab2/3
 2 Simplify. 2y
d 19. 2
z
484 Chapter 7 Radicals and Complex Numbers

4. Applications Involving Rational Exponents

Skill Practice example 6 Applying Rational Exponents

20. The formula for the radius Suppose P dollars in principal is invested in an account that earns interest
of a sphere is annually. If after t years the investment grows to A dollars, then the annual
3V 1 3 rate of return r on the investment is given by
ra b
4p A 1t
ra b 1
where V is the volume. P
Find the radius of a sphere
Find the annual rate of return on $5000 which grew to $12,500 after 6 years.
whose volume is 113.04 in.3
(Use 3.14 for p.)
Solution:
A 1t
ra b 1
P
12,500 16
a b 1 where A  $12,500, P  $5000, and t  6
5000
 12.52 16  1
 1.165  1
 0.165 or 16.5%
The annual rate of return is 16.5%.

Calculator Connections
The expression
12,500 16
ra b 1
5000
is easily evaluated on a graphing calculator.
Answer
20. 3 in.

section 7.2 Practice Exercises

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Study Skills Exercises

1. Dont be afraid to mark up a book page. Use a highlighter to emphasize key points, definitions, rules,
formulas, or processes. What would you highlight in this section?

2. Define the key terms.

a. a1/n b. am/n
 Section 7.2 Rational Exponents 485

Review Exercises
For the exercises in this set, assume that all variables represent positive real numbers unless otherwise stated.
3
3. Given: 127 4. Given: 118
a. Identify the index. a. Identify the index.

b. Identify the radicand. b. Identify the radicand.

For Exercises 58, evaluate the radicals (if possible).

8. 1 1162 3
3 4 4
5. 125 6. 18 7. 181

Objective 1: Definition of a1/n and am/n

For Exercises 918, convert the expressions to radical form and simplify. (See Example 1.)
9. 1441 2 10. 1614 11. 1441 2 12. 1614

13. 11442 1 2 14. 1162 14 15. 1642 1 3 16. 1322 15

17. 1252 1 2 18. 1272 1 3

19. Explain how to interpret the expression amn as a radical.

20. Explain why 1 182 4 is easier to evaluate than 284.

3 3

For Exercises 2124, simplify the expression, if possible. (See Example 2.)
21. a. 1634 b. 1634 c. 1162 34 d. 1634 e. 1634 f. 1162 34

22. a. 8134 b. 8134 c. 1812 34 d. 8134 e. 8134 f. 1812 34

23. a. 253 2 b. 253 2 c. 1252 3 2 d. 253 2 e. 253 2 f. 1252 3 2

24. a. 43 2 b. 43 2 c. 142 3 2 d. 43 2 e. 43 2 f. 142 3 2

For Exercises 2550, simplify the expression. (See Example 2.)

25. 643 2 26. 813 2 27. 24335 28. 15 3

100 3 2 49 1 2

29. 2743 30. 1654 31. a b 32. a b
9 100

33. 142 3 2 34. 1492 3 2 35. 182 13 36. 192 12
486 Chapter 7 Radicals and Complex Numbers

37. 813 38. 912 39. 2723 40. 12513

1 1 1 1
41. 42. 43. 44.
3612 1612 100013 8134

1 23 1 12 1 23 1 12 1 34 1 1 2 1 14 1 1 2

45. a b  a b 46. a b a b 47. a b a b 48. a b a b
8 4 8 4 16 49 16 49

1 12 1 13 1 12 1 56

49. a b  a b 50. a b a b
4 64 36 64

Objective 2: Converting Between Rational Exponents and Radical Notation

For Exercises 5158, convert each expression to radical notation. (See Example 3.)
51. q2 3 52. t 35 53. 6y34 54. 8b4  9

55. 1x2y2 13 56. 1c2d2 16 57. 1qr2 1 5 58. 17x2 1 4

For Exercises 5966, write each expression by using rational exponents rather than radical notation.
(See Example 4.)
3 4 3
59. 1 x 60. 1a 61. 101b 62. 21t

3 2 6 4
63. 2y 64. 2z5 65. 2a2b3 66. 1abc

Objective 3: Properties of Rational Exponents

For Exercises 6790, simplify the expressions by using the properties of rational exponents. Write the final answer
using positive exponents only. (See Example 5.)
p53 q54
67. x14x54 68. 223 253 69. 23
70.
p q14

71. 1y15 2 10 72. 1x12 2 8 73. 615635 74. a13a23

4t13 5s13
75. 76. 77. 1a13a14 2 12 78. 1x23x12 2 6
t43 s53

x23 12 m14 4
79. 15a2c12d1 2 2 2 80. 12x13y2z53 2 3 81. a b 82. a b
y34 n12
 Section 7.2 Rational Exponents 487

16w2z 13 50p1q 12

83. a b 84. a b 85. 125x2y4z6 2 12 86. 18a6b3c9 2 23
2wz8 2pq3

x3my2m 1m a4nb3n 1n

87. 1x2y1 3 2 6 1x1 2yz2 3 2 2 88. 1a1 3b1 2 2 4 1a12b35 2 10 89. a b 90. a b
z5m cn

Objective 4: Applications Involving Rational Exponents

91. If the area A of a square is known, then the length of its sides, s, can be computed by the formula s  A12.
a. Compute the length of the sides of a square having an area of 100 in.2 (See Example 6.)

b. Compute the length of the sides of a square having an area of 72 in.2 Round your answer to the nearest
0.1 in.

3V 13
92. The radius r of a sphere of volume V is given by r  a b . Find the radius of a sphere having a volume
4p
of 85 in.3 Round your answer to the nearest 0.1 in.

93. If P dollars in principal grows to A dollars after t years with annual interest, then the interest rate is given
A 1/t
by r  a b  1.
P
a. In one account, $10,000 grows to $16,802 after 5 years. Compute the interest rate. Round your answer to
a tenth of a percent.

b. In another account $10,000 grows to $18,000 after 7 years. Compute the interest rate. Round your answer
to a tenth of a percent.

c. Which account produced a higher average yearly return?

94. Is 1a  b2 12 the same as a12  b12? Why or why not?

Expanding Your Skills

For Exercises 95100, write the expression as a single radical.
3 3 4 4
95. 2 1 x 96. 2 1x 97. 2 1y 98. 2 1 y

5 3 3 4
99. 2 1w 100. 2 1w

For Exercises 101108, use a calculator to approximate the expressions and round to 4 decimal places, if necessary.
101. 912 102. 12513 103. 5014 104. 11722 35

3 2 4 3 3
105. 25 106. 26 107. 2103 108. 2 16