are 1.

14 Lesson: Fractional exponents

g an
upported NOTE: The content in Unit 1, and in this speci5c lesson, is foundational for buildin
wser. remainder of this learning resource, Units 2 through 5. However, since it is basica
se see
not be directly assessed on your high-stakes exam.
ems
irements Lesson introduction
e
a list In the previous lesson, you saw the properties of exponents working with integer po
see how those same properties of exponents hold even if the powers are fractions.
pported everything will still work the exact same way it did before. You'll just be solving the s
wsers.
Fractional exponents

The opposite of raising a term is taking the root of a term. Raising 9 9 by 2 2 (92 ) (9 2
1 1
yields 9 9. A notation for taking a root is a fractional exponent. 81 81 2 means the 2
2
1
64 3 = 4, because 43 = 644 3 = 64.

PARTICIPATION
ACTIVITY
1.14.1: Roots.

1 2 2x speed

92 = 9 * 9 = 81

exponent 92

1/
root 81 2

Taking the root is similar to undoing th

PARTICIPATION
ACTIVITY
1.14.2: Roots.
1) 23 = ? 2 3 = ?
Correct

8
Check Show answer
2 ⋅ 2 ⋅ 2 = 82 ⋅ 2 ⋅ 2 = 8

2) 1 1
8 3 = ?8 3 = ? Correct

2
1 1
Check Show answer
8 3 8 3 means 3rd root o
3
because 2 = 8 2 = 8.
3

3) 1 1
27 3 = ? 27 3 = ? Correct

Check Show answer 3 3 = 273 3 = 27

4) 1 1
1 9 = ?1 9 = ? Correct

Check Show answer 19 = 1 19 = 1

5) 1 1
(x 3 ) 3 = ? (x 3) 3 = ? Correct

Check Show answer Using the raising an exp

1
3 1
(x ) 3 (x 3) 3
1
3 ⋅ 1
x 3 x3 ⋅ 3
x 1 x1
xx
 6) 1 1
(x 2 ) 2 = ? (x 2) 2 = ? Correct
| | x
1
Check Show answer 2 1
(x ) 2 (x 2) 2 means squa
would convert a negativ
must be |x||x| (rather tha
25, and √ 25
‾‾
‾ √25 is 5 5 (r

1 1 1 1 1 1
Recall that (xy)2 = x 2 y2 (xy) 2 = x 2y 2. Similarly, (xy) 2 = x 2 y 2 (xy) 2 = x 2y 2.

PARTICIPATION
ACTIVITY
1.14.3: Roots of non-simple terms.

1) 1 1
(16 ⋅ 49) 2 = 4 ⋅ ?(16 ⋅ 49) 2 = 4 ⋅ ? Correct

Check Show answer

The exponent a
product:
1 1
16 ⋅ 49
2 2 16
4 ⋅ 74 ⋅ 7

2) 1 1
(16 ⋅ x2) 2 = 4 ⋅ ? (16 ⋅ x 2) 2 =4 ⋅ ? Correct
| | x

Check Show answer

The exponent app
1 1
2 1
16 ⋅ 2 (x ) 2 16 2
4 ⋅ |x|4 ⋅ | x|

1 1 3
An alternative notation for a root is the radical symbol: x 3 = √xx 3
3
= √x .

PARTICIPATION
ACTIVITY
1.14.4: Radicals.
 1) 1 1
x 4
= √ x x 4 = √x
4
4 Correct

True The radical symbol

√

√
fractional exponent.
False

2) 1 1
(xy) = √
3 xy (xy) 3 = 3
3 ‾‾ √xy Correct

True The base of the fraction

the radical symbol.
False

3) 5 1 1

√n‾ = 5 n
5
√n = 5 n Correct

True
The n n and 5 5 are swap
False

Just as x 2 x 2 and x 3 x 3 have special names "xx squared" and "xx cubed", similarly √
2
x
root of xx.
2
x √x is so common that the 2 2 can be omitted: √x √x is the same as √
2
x√
2 2
In fact, √

PARTICIPATION
ACTIVITY
1.14.5: Square root.

1) 1
√‾4xy
‾‾ = (4xy) √4xy = (4xy) ?
1
? Correct

Check Show answer A radical's missing root

meaning square root.

CHALLENGE
ACTIVITY
1.14.1: Simplify the radical (fractional exponent).
 Reset

(6x134y14)
√
3

(4x46y5)
= x y

1 2

Check Next Done

Combine constants then apply radical:

((6 * 4) / (4 * 6))(1/3) = 1(1/3) = 1
Subtract exponents of divided x terms then multip
exponent:
(13 - 4) * (1/3) = 3
Subtract exponents of divided y terms then multip
exponent:
(14 - 5) * (1/3) = 3

Lesson exercises

Algebraic

Simplify the following.

Exercise 1.14.1

‾4x‾‾‾
4 ‾
√
6
y
(a)
4x 4y 6
√
Solution !
2x 2 y3

2x 2y 3

Exercise 1.14.2

√‾16a
‾‾‾‾‾
2 ‾
b6
(a)
16a 2b 6
√
Solution !
4ab3

4ab 3
 Exercise 1.14.3

1
32 5
(a)
1
32 5
Solution !
2

Lesson summary

Before moving on, take a last moment to think about what you've learned in this less

A fractional exponent represents a power (the numerator of the fractional expo

= √3 x‾‾2 = (√3 x)
2
denominator of the fractional exponent). For example, x 2/3

be calculated Xrst or the radical can be calculated Xrst - you'll get the same an
The same properties of exponents apply to fractional exponents. There is no d
to a problem with fractional exponents compared to a problem with integer ex

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