We want to look at expressions of the form $x^{\frac{m}{n}}$xmn. Let's make a connection to previous knowledge and start with a particular example of $x^{\frac{1}{2}}$x12.
Consider the process below:
$x^{\frac{2}{2}}$x22 | $=$= | $x$x | |
$\left(x^{\frac{1}{2}}\right)^2$(x12)2 | $=$= | $x$x | Product of powers property |
$\left(x^{\frac{1}{2}}\right)^2$(x12)2 | $=$= | $\left(\sqrt{x}\right)^2$(√x)2 | Rewrite $x$x using the definition of square root |
$x^{\frac{1}{2}}$x12 | $=$= | $\sqrt{x}$√x | Taking the square root both sides |
In general, we get that:
$x^{\frac{1}{n}}=\sqrt[n]{x}$x1n=n√x
You may also see questions with more complicated fractional exponents, such as $x^{\frac{3}{2}}$x32. We could express this as a power of a power, $\left(x^3\right)^{\frac{1}{2}}$(x3)12. As such, the numerator in the fractional exponent can be expressed as a power and the denominator in the fractional exponent can be expressed as a root.
More generally, this rule states:
$x^{\frac{m}{n}}=\sqrt[n]{x^m}$xmn=n√xm
$x^{\frac{m}{n}}=\left(\sqrt[n]{x}\right)^m$xmn=(n√x)m
When solving problems with fractional exponents, it doesn't matter whether you start with the powers or the roots (although you might find it easier to do it one way than the other).
For example, let's look at $16^{\frac{3}{2}}$1632:
Starting with the root:
$16^{\frac{3}{2}}$1632 | $=$= | $\left(\sqrt{16}\right)^3$(√16)3 |
$=$= | $4^3$43 | |
$=$= | $64$64 |
Now let's start with the powers:
$16^{\frac{3}{2}}$1632 | $=$= | $\sqrt{16^3}$√163 |
$=$= | $\sqrt{4096}$√4096 | |
$=$= | $64$64 |
You can see that we get the same answer both ways, but the second approach led to working with some much larger numbers
Rewrite: $\sqrt[3]{x^2}$3√x2 with a fractional exponent.
Think: We know that $x^{\frac{m}{n}}=\sqrt[n]{x^m}$xmn=n√xm.
Do:
$\sqrt[3]{x^2}$3√x2 | $=$= | $\left(x^2\right)^{\frac{1}{3}}$(x2)13 |
$=$= | $x^{\frac{2}{3}}$x23 |
Evaluate: $121^{\frac{1}{2}}$12112.
Think: A fractional exponent of $\frac{1}{2}$12 is the same as finding the square root.
Do:
$121^{\frac{1}{2}}$12112 | $=$= | $\sqrt{121}$√121 |
$=$= | $11$11 |
Evaluate: $4^{-\frac{3}{4}}\times4^{\frac{1}{4}}$4−34×414.
Think: We should use our laws of exponents to simplify first and then use the definition of rational exponents.
Do:
$4^{-\frac{3}{4}}\times4^{\frac{1}{4}}$4−34×414 | $=$= | $4^{-\frac{3}{4}+\frac{1}{4}}$4−34+14 |
$=$= | $4^{-\frac{2}{4}}$4−24 | |
$=$= | $4^{-\frac{1}{2}}$4−12 | |
$=$= | $\frac{1}{4^{\frac{1}{2}}}$1412 | |
$=$= | $\frac{1}{\sqrt{4}}$1√4 | |
$=$= | $\frac{1}{2}$12 |
Express $\sqrt[5]{x^7}$5√x7 in exponential form.
Evaluate $4^{\frac{3}{2}}$432.
Fully simplify $\left(\frac{25}{36}\right)^{\frac{1}{2}}$(2536)12.
Explain how the definition of the meaning of rational exponents follows from extending the properties of integer exponents to those values, allowing for a notation for radicals in terms of rational exponents.
Interpret quadratic and exponential expressions that represent a quantity in terms of its context.
Interpret increasingly more complex expressions by viewing one or more of their parts as a single entity. Exponents are extended from the integer exponents to rational exponents focusing on those that represent square or cube roots.
Use the structure of an expression to identify ways to rewrite it.