Pre-AP Algebra 2

Unit 9 – Lesson 1 – Rational Exponents

Objectives:
 Students will understand that a radical can be represented as a rational exponent
 Students will be able to convert between radicals and rational exponents

Materials: Do Now and answers overhead; note-taking templates; practice worksheet; homework #9-1

Time Activity
15 min DO NOW
- Student investigate rational exponents using their calculators
30 min Direct Instruction

Mathematicians wanted a way to write radical expressions – those with the root symbol – using
exponents, so that they could be worked with just like all other numbers. Here is a proof that shows why
it works.

Step Reason
√ √ By the definition of a square root
Define the radical as an unknown exponent
When multiplying, add exponents
Anything to the 1st power is itself
If the powers are equal, the exponents must be too
Solve for k. Thus, √
1
This proof could be repeated with any other n-th roots. You try! Prove that 3
a  a3 .
Examples
1. √
2. √
3.
√

4. √
What about more complex functions?
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
What about combinations?
10.
11. ( )
12.

13.

14. ( )
20 min Pair Work
Practice worksheet

Homework #9-1: Rational Exponents

Pre-AP Algebra 2 Name: __________________________
DO NOW

DO NOW
Find the exact values for each of the following

√ ( )
√
√ ( )
√ ( )
√
√

What pattern do you see?

How could you find √ ? Try it!

Pre-AP Algebra 2 Name: __________________________
9-1 Pair Work

Practice with Rational Exponents

1) Rewrite each radical using rational exponent notation.
 11 
5
a. 3
7 b. c. 4
x8 

2) Rewrite each power using radical notation.

a. 431/5  b. 83/4  c. x 5 /2 

3) Find the exact, simplified value of each expression without a calculator. If you are stuck, try
converting between radical and rational exponential notation first, and then simplify.
Sometimes, simplifying the exponent (or changing a decimal to a fraction) is very helpful.

a. 82 / 3  b. (27)2 / 3  c. 253/2 

2 / 3 1.5
 8  1
d.    e. 41.5  f.   
 27   4

 64    3   3
4 6 8
g. 3
h. i. 4


4) Simplify each expression completely.

a. 51/ 4  57 / 4  b. (21 / 3 ) 3 / 4 

71/5
2 
6
c. 3/5  1/ 4
 21/ 3
7 d.

1211/8 5x 3/ 4 yz 1/ 3
 
e. 125/8 f. 10x1/ 4 z 2/ 3
Pre-AP Algebra 2 Name: __________________________
Homework #9-1

Homework #9-1: Rational Exponents

Part 1
1) Find the exact, simplified value of each expression without a calculator. If you are stuck, try
converting between radical and rational exponential notation first, and then simplify.
Sometimes, simplifying the exponent (or changing a decimal to a fraction) is very helpful.

1
a. 125 3
 b. 64 1/ 2  c. 641 / 6 

d. 811/ 2  e. 32 1/ 5  f. 811/ 4 

i. 8 
5 / 3
g. 43 / 2  h. (64)2 /3  

3/2
 9
j. 93/2  k.    l. 161.5 
 4

 27    4 
2 6
m. 3
n. 3 125 2  o. 3

 5  2  3 
2 4 5
p.  q. 4
 r. 5

2) Simplify each expression completely.

a. 3  3   
5/3 1/ 3 1/ 2
b. 52/ 3 =

1/ 2
1  52 
c. 1/ 2   2 
36 d.  8 

1251/ 9
10 
4
 3/ 4
 43/ 4 
51/ 4
e. f.
Part 2: STAAR Practice

1) A parabola has the function f(x) = 2(x + 3)2 – 5. It is translated to a new location, given by the
function g(x) = 2(x – 3)2 – 2. Describe the translation.

a. 6 left and 3 up b. 6 left and 3 down

c. 6 right and 3 down d. 6 right and 3 up

2) What is the highest point on the function y = -(x – 5)2 + 3?

a. 1, 13 b. 0,22  c. 5, 3 d. 5, 3

t / 300
 1
3) A certain radioactive element decays over time according to the equation y  A   where A
 2
is the number of grams present initially and t is the time in years. If 1000 grams were present
initially, how many grams will remain after 900 years?

a. 500 grams b. 250 grams c. 125 grams d. 62.5 grams

4) Given the equation√ , which of the following represents in terms of ?

a. b. c. d.

5 10
5) Simplify:  2
x  7 x  2x  35

5x  6 5(x  5) 5(x  3) 5(x  7)

a. b. c. d.
x  2x  35
2
x  2x  35
2
x  2x  35
2
x  2x  35
2

6) Which figure best describes the graph of

a. circle b. ellipse c. parabola d. hyperbola

7) The graph of the function was obtained from the graph of the
function using a transformation as shown above. Based on the
graph, which equation can be used to describe ( ) in terms of
( )

a. ( ) ( ) b. ( ) ( )

c. ( ) ( ) d. ( ) ( )
Lesson Name: Rational Exponents Date: _______________ Student: ________________________

Concepts Examples
Examples
Mathematicians wanted a way to write radical expressions – those with the root 1. √
symbol – using exponents, so that they could be worked with just like all other
numbers. Here is a proof that shows why it works. 2. √
Step Reason
3.
√ √ By the definition of a square root
Define the radical as an unknown 4.
exponent

What about more complex functions?

5.

6.
1
You try! Prove that 3
aa .
3

Step Reason 7.
By the definition of a cube root
Define the radical as an unknown
exponent 8.

9.
Lesson Name: Rational Exponents Date: _______________ Student: ________________________

More Examples
What about combinations?

1.

2. ( )

3.

4.

5. ( )