Laws of Exponents and Radicals

Day 2

Introduction

Numbers can be very small, small, large, or very large. We deal with small numbers in our early
years in school. But as time goes on, we move on to deal with somewhat very large or very small
numbers to the extent that we cannot express it in a simple manner. Engineers, scientist,
mathematicians and even economist commonly encounter these numbers. Learning the skills to
manipulate these numbers is a must when we are chasing a dream to be one of those engineers or
scientists.

Learning Objectives
At the end of the session the student will be able to:
❖ Use the fundamental rules of exponents.
❖ Simplify expressions with exponents.
❖ Simplify expression with square roots.
❖ Add and subtract expressions with square roots as radicals.
❖ Use conjugate in simplifying radicals with square roots.
❖ Works with nth roots.
❖ Simplify radicals with n>2.
❖ Simplify Expressions with rational exponents.
❖ Use scientific notation (optional-discipline based).

Laws of Exponents

Product Rule of Exponents

For any real numbers a and natural numbers m and n, the product rule of exponents states that:

Consider the product of a numbers x3(x4). Expansion and simplification of the product is shown
below:

or simply:

Applying the rule to real numbers (values): 53(54) = 5(3+4) = 57 = 78125

Example:

1.

2. (any comments?)

3.

SAQUE J. AMILBAHAR, CE
Quotient Rule of Exponents

For any real number a and numbers m and n, such that m > n, the quotient rule of exponents states
that:

Consider the example y9/y5. We can perform the division by canceling common factors.

or simply:

Applying the rule to real numbers (values): 512/54 = 5(12-4) = 58 = 390625

Example:

1. (any comments?)

2.

3.

Thinking outside the box: ➢ What if n > m in t he quotient rule? (We will go to that later...)
➢ What is actually canceling?

Power Rule of Exponents

For any real number a and positive integers m and n, the power rule of exponents states that

Consider now the term x2, if raise this term to the exponent of 3 then we have:

SAQUE J. AMILBAHAR, CE
Example:

1.

2.

3. (any comments?)

Zero Exponent Rule of Exponents

For any nonzero real number a, the zero exponent rule of exponents states that

Example:

1.

2.

3.

Negative Rule of Exponents

For any nonzero real number a and a natural number n, the negative rule of exponents states that

Example:

1.

2.

3. (any comments?)

SAQUE J. AMILBAHAR, CE
Power of a Product Rule of Exponents

For any nonzero real number a and a natural number n, the power of a product rule states that

Example:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5. (we will scrutiny this below:)

(or we can do it another way)

Power of a Quotient Rule of Exponents

For any real numbers a and b and any integer n, the power of a quotient rule of exponents states
that

Example:

1.

2.

SAQUE J. AMILBAHAR, CE
 3.

4.

5.

Further Example:

Thinking outside the box: ➢ Can you define now the term simplification?
➢ Make a simple guide. Familiarize.
➢ All of rules mentioned earlier are equally important in engineering.

SAQUE J. AMILBAHAR, CE
 Simple Summary of Rules:

Radicals (with emphasis on n = 2)

Now let us move on to radicals. Radicals is related to exponents with the distinction that it is
represented with its own symbols. Simply put radicals are just fractional exponents. The most common
radical is the square root.

We leave the index off the square root symbol only because it is the most common one. It is
understood that if no index is shown, then the index is 2.

Principle Square Root

The principal square root of a is the non-negative number that, when multiplied by itself, equals a.
It is written as a radical expression, with a symbol called a radical over the term called the radicand
(see below).

SAQUE J. AMILBAHAR, CE
Now let us have the question...

Properties of a Square Root

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 (can be considered as the product rule of radicals)

(the quotient rule of radicals)

Perfect Squares

Simplifying Radical Expressions

Example:

SAQUE J. AMILBAHAR, CE
Example:

Example:

Example:

Examples (with real values):

6.

7.

8.

SAQUE J. AMILBAHAR, CE
Adding and Subtracting Square Roots

We can do addition and subtraction to radical expression (especially for square roots) only when
they have the same radicand and index (for square roots the index n is 2).

Given a radical (square root) expression requiring addition or subtraction, use the following:

❖ Simplify each radical expression.

Instructor’s Demonstration (space below is intended blank:

1.
2.
3.

Thinking outside the box: ➢ Reflect on the addition and subtraction of radicals.
➢ How to use calculator and get the correct answer?

SAQUE J. AMILBAHAR, CE
Rationalizing the Denominator

One of the rules for simplifying radicals (especially square roots) is that you should never leave a
radical in the denominator of a fraction. The way to get rid of a square root is to multiply it by itself
(remember the multiplicative identity), which of course will give you whatever it was the square root
of.

Case 1: If the denominator has just one single radical.

Simplify:

Thinking outside the box: ➢ Now what will happen if n is not 2?

Case 2: If the denominator has two terms.

SAQUE J. AMILBAHAR, CE
Another illustration simplify:

Simplify.

Instructor’s Demonstration (space below is intended blank:

1.

2.

Thinking outside the box: ➢ Familiarize in formulating conjugate.

SAQUE J. AMILBAHAR, CE
Radicals with n > 2, (Rational Exponents)

Principal nth Root of a Real Number

Example:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

When used in reference to radicals, the direcion to “simplify” will mean to remove from the
radicals any perfect roots that occur as factors.

SAQUE J. AMILBAHAR, CE
 Example (with real number values):

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Example (simplifying expressions):

2.

3.

4.

5.

SAQUE J. AMILBAHAR, CE
 Exercises for Day 2

Skills Check Part 1 Real Number Values

1. 6. 11.

2. 7. 12.

3. 8. 13.

4. 9. 14.

5. 10. 15.

Skills Check Part 2 Simplifying Expressions

1. 7. 13.

2. 8. 14.

3. 9. 15.

4. 10. 16.

5. 11. 17.

6. 12. 18.

Skills Check Part 3 (instructor’s option)

SAQUE J. AMILBAHAR, CE