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Sec 9.2 - 1
 Chapter 9

Roots, Radicals, and Root

Functions

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Sec 9.2 - 2
 9.2

Rational Exponents

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Sec 9.2 - 3
 9.2 Rational Exponents

Objectives

1. Use exponential notation for nth roots.

2. Define and use expressions of the form am/n.
3. Convert between radicals and rational exponents.
4. Use the rules for exponents with rational exponents.

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 9.2 Rational Exponents

Exponents of the Form a1/n

a1/n
n
If a is a real number, then
n
a1/n = a.

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 9.2 Rational Exponents

EXAMPLE 1 Evaluating Exponentials of the Form a1/n

Evaluate each expression.

3
(a) 271/3 = 27 = 3

(b) 641/2 = 64 = 8

4
(c) –625 1/4 = – 625 = –5

4
(d) (–625)1/4 = –625 is not a real number because the radicand,
–625, is negative and the index is even.

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 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
4
(c) –625 1/4 = – 625 = –5

4
(d) (–625) 1/4 = –625 is not a real number because the radicand,
–625, is negative and the index is even.
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 9.2 Rational Exponents

EXAMPLE 1 Evaluating Exponentials of the Form a1/n

Evaluate each expression.

5
(e) (–243)1/5 = –243 = –3

4 1/2 4 2
(f) = =
25 25 5

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 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.

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 9.2 Rational Exponents

EXAMPLE 2 Evaluating Exponentials of the Form am/n

Evaluate each exponential.

(a) 253/2 = ( 251/2 )3 = 53 = 125

(b) 322/5 = ( 321/5 )2 = 22 = 4

(c) –274/3 = –( 27)4/3 = –( 271/3 )4 = –(3)4 = –81

(d) (–64)2/3 = [(–64)1/3 ]2 = (–4)2 = 16

(e) (–16)3/2 is not a real number, since (–16)1/2 is not a real number.

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 10
 9.2 Rational Exponents
EXAMPLE 3 Evaluating Exponentials with Negative
Rational Exponents
Evaluate each exponential.

(a) 32–4/5

By the definition of a negative exponent,

–4/5
1
32 = 4/5 .
32

5 4
Since 32 4/5
= 32 = 24 = 16,

1 1
= 32 –4/5
= = .
324/5 16

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 9.2 Rational Exponents
EXAMPLE 3 Evaluating Exponentials with Negative
Rational Exponents
Evaluate each exponential.

8 –4/3 1 1 1 1 81
(b) = = = = =
27 8 4/3 8 4 2 4 16 16
3 81
27 27 3

b –m a m
We could also use the rule = here, as follows.
a b

27 4 3 4 81
8 –4/3 27 4/3
= = 3 = =
27 8 8 2 16

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 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, 32–1/5, and –32–1/5.

1 1
–321/5 = –2, 32–1/5 = , and –32–1/5 = – .
2 2

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 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.

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 9.2 Rational Exponents

Radical Form of am/n

Radical Form of am/n

If all indicated roots are real numbers, then

n n
am/n = am= ( )a . m

In words, raise a to the mth power and then take the nth root, or take the
nth root of a and then raise to the mth power.

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 15
 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.

= 15 6 10 5
(a) 151/2 (b) 105/6 = ( )

3 n 2
(c) 4n2/3 = 4( )

4 h 3 5 2h 2
(d) 7h3/4 – (2h)2/5 = 7( ) – ( )

1 1
(e) g –4/5 = =
g4/5 5 g 4
( )
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 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 = m, since m is positive.

m5

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 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:

1 ar a –r r
r
a · a = a s r+s
a –r
= r s = a
r–s = br
a a b a

r 1
a = ar
r r
(a ) r s
= a rs
( ab ) r
= a b r r
a –r
= .
b b a

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 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 1
= 32/3 – 5/6 = 3–1/6 = Quotient rule
35/6 31/6

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 9.2 Rational Exponents

EXAMPLE 5 Applying Rules for Rational Exponents

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

m1/4 n–6 –3/4 (m1/4)–3/4 (n–6)–3/4

(c) =
m–8 n2/3 ( m–8)–3/4 (n2/3)–3/4

= m–3/16 n9/2 Power rule

m6 n–1/2

= m–3/16 – 6 n9/2 – (–1/2) Quotient rule

= m–99/16 n5

n5 Definition of negative
=
m99/16 exponent
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 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(x–1/2 – x3/4) = x3/5 · x–1/2 – x3/5 · x3/4 Distributive property

= x3/5 + (–1/2) – x3/5 + 3/4 Product rule

= x1/10 – x27/20

Do not make the common mistake of multiplying exponents in the

first step.

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 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.

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 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 3 3/4 2/3
(a) a 3 · a2 = a · a Convert to rational exponents.

= a3/4 + 2/3 Product rule

= a9/12 + 8/12 Write exponents with a common

denominator
= a17/12

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 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 = c1/4 Convert to rational exponents.
c3/2
c3
= c1/4 – 3/2 Quotient rule

= c1/4 – 6/4 Write exponents with a common

denominator
= c–5/4
1
= Definition of negative exponent
5/4
c
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 24
 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.

(c) 5 3 5
x2 = x2/3

= ( x2/3 )1/5

= x2/15

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 25