Scribd
Upload
115 views

Rational Exponents

This document provides an overview of rational exponents including: - Defining rational exponents as indicating the nth root of the base where n is the denominator of the fractional exponent. - Examples of simplifying expressions involving rational exponents by writing them in radical form or using exponent rules. - Rules for simplifying expressions with rational exponents that include variables. - Examples of simplifying radical expressions by changing them to exponential form, simplifying exponents, and changing back to radical form.

Uploaded by

josskevynbonifacio
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
115 views

Rational Exponents

This document provides an overview of rational exponents including: - Defining rational exponents as indicating the nth root of the base where n is the denominator of the fractional exponent. - Examples of simplifying expressions involving rational exponents by writing them in radical form or using exponent rules. - Rules for simplifying expressions with rational exponents that include variables. - Examples of simplifying radical expressions by changing them to exponential form, simplifying exponents, and changing back to radical form.

Uploaded by

josskevynbonifacio
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 29

Mathematics 8

Chapter 4: More with Exponents


Chapter 4: Objectives
• Define and interpret zero and negative
exponents Lesson 20:
• Evaluate algebraic expressions involving
rational exponents
Rational
• Simplify algebraic expressions involving rational
exponents Solve equation involving rational
Exponents
exponents.
• Formulate real-life situation problems involving
algebraic expressions involving rational
exponents;
• and solve these problems accurately using a
variety of strategies with all hopefulness.
Excite
We worked with exponential expressions containing
natural-number exponents, such as 5 3 and 𝑥 2 . Then the
definition of exponent was extended to include zero and
negative integers, which gave meaning to expressions such
as 8 −3
and (−9𝑥𝑦) .
0

We will extend the definition of exponent. This time, to


include rational (fractional) exponents. We will see how
3
1 2
1 4 −
expressions such as 9 ,
2 , and −32𝑥 5 5can be simplified
16
by writing them in an equivalent radical form or by using the
rules for exponents
Rational Exponents
It is possible to raise many bases to fractional
powers. Since we want fractional exponents to obey the
1
same rules as in integer exponents, the square of 10 2

must be 10, because


In words,
1
𝑎 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑡ℎ 𝑛 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡
𝑛
𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 .
1
We can simplify the exponential expression 8 .3

The first step is to write it as an equivalent expression in


radical form and proceed ad follows.

Note: The base of the exponential expression 8, is


the radicand. The denominator of the fractional
exponent is 3, which is the index of the radical
Example:
Write each expression in radical form an simplify, if
possible.
1
a.9 2
1
16 2
b. −
9
1
c. (−64) 3
1
d. 16 4
1
1 5
e.
32
1
f. 0 8
Example:

Write 5𝑥𝑦𝑧 as an exponential expression with a rational


exponent.
Exponential Expression with
variables in their Bases
Example:
Simplify each exponential expression. Assume
that the variables can be any real number.
1
3 3
a. (−27𝑥 )
1
8 8
b. (256𝑎 )
1
2 2
c. 𝑦+4
1
d. (25𝑏 4 )2
1
4 4
e. (−256𝑏 )
1
We can extend the definition of 𝑥 to include
𝑛

fractional exponents with numerator other than 1.


Example:

2
Thus, we can simplify 8 by finding the second power
3

of the cube root of 8.


2
We can also simplify 8 by taking the cube root
3

of the square of 8

In general, we have the following rule.


Example:

Simplify each expression in two ways.


3
a. 9 2
3
1 4
b. 16
4
3
c. (−8𝑥 ) 3
Example:

Simplify each expression in two ways.


3
a. 9 2
3
1 4
b. 16
4
3
c. (−8𝑥 ) 3
Write each expression without using negative exponents and
simplify, if possible.
1
−
a. 64 2
3
−
b. −16 4
2
−
c. (−32𝑥 5 ) 5
1
d. 3
−
16 2
Write each expression without using negative exponents and
simplify, if possible.
1
−
a. 64 2
3
−
b. −16 4
Write each expression without using negative exponents and
simplify, if possible.
2
−
c. (−32𝑥 )
5 5
1
d. 3
−
16 2
Applying the rules for the
Exponents

We can use the rules for exponents to simplify


many expressions with fractional exponents. If all
variables represent positive numbers, no absolute
value symbol are necessary.
Example:

Assume that all variables represent positive


numbers. Write all answers without using negative
exponents.
2 3
a. 5 57 7
2 3
b. 5 7
2 1 6
c. 𝑎 𝑏 3 2
8 1
𝑎3𝑎3
d. 𝑎2
Example:
2 3
a. 5 57 7
2 3
b. 5 7
Example:
2 1 6
c. 𝑎 𝑏 3 2
8 1
𝑎3𝑎3
d.
𝑎2
Example:

Assume that all variables represent positive


numbers and do the operations. Write all answers
without negative exponents.
4 1 3
a. 𝑎 𝑎 + 𝑎
5 5 5
1 1 1
−
b. 𝑥 𝑥
2 2 +𝑥 2
Simplify Radical Expression
We can simplify many radical expressions by
using the following steps:
1. Change the radical expression into an exponential
expression.
2. Simplify the rational exponents
3. Change the exponential expression back to a
radical expression.
Example:
Simplify:
4 8 9
a. 32 b. 𝑥6 c. 27𝑥 6 𝑦 3
Reference:
Phoenix Math for the 21st
Century Learners Grade 8
Authors:
Jonathan C. Gloria
Joseph L. Guadayo
Robert C. Lelina
Josephine Lorenzo Sy Tan
Roberto J. Degolacion
Simon L. Chua, D.T.

You might also like