Rational Exponents

Rational Exponents
Rational exponents are exponents of numbers that are expressed as rational

numbers, that is, in ap/q, a is the base and p/q is the rational exponent where q
≠ 0. In rational exponents, the base must be a positive integer. Rules for
rational exponents are similar to the rules of integer exponents. The
numerator of a rational exponent represents the power whereas the
denominator of a rational exponent represents the root.
Let us explore the concept of rational exponents, how to simplify them, the
relation between rational exponents and radicals along with some solved
examples for a better understanding.
What are Rational Exponents?
An exponential expression of the form am has a rational exponent if m is a

rational number. In rational exponents, the powers and roots of a number are
expressed together. Some of the examples of rational exponents are: 22/3, 95/9,
1111/3, etc. Here the bases are positive integers and have rational exponents.
Properties of general exponents also hold for the rational exponents.
Rational Exponents Definition
Rational exponents are defined as exponents that can be expressed in the

form of p/q, where q ≠ 0. The general notation of rational exponents is xm/n,
where x is the base (positive number) and m/n is a rational exponent. Rational
exponents can also be written as xmn=n√xm��=��.
Rational Exponents Formulas

Now, let us go through some formulas of the rational exponents which are
used to solve various algebraic problems. The formulas of integer exponents
hold true for the rational exponents as well. Consider rational exponents with
same bases am/n, ap/q and a different base bm/n
 am/n × ap/q = a(m/n + p/q)
 am/n ÷ ap/q = a(m/n - p/q)
 am/n × bm/n = (ab)m/n
 am/n ÷ bm/n = (a÷b)m/n
 a-m/n = (1/a)m/n
 a0/n = a0 = 1
 (am/n)p/q = am/n × p/q
 xm/n = y ⇔ x = yn/m
Rational Exponents and Radicals
We can write the rational exponents expressions as radicals by identifying the

powers and roots and converting them into radicals. Consider the rational
exponents' expression am/n. Now, follow the given steps:
 Step 1: Identify the power by looking at the numerator of the rational exponent. Here
in rational exponent am/n, m is the power.
 Step 2: Identify the root by looking at the denominator of the rational exponent. Here
in rational exponent am/n, n is the root.
 Step 3: Write the base as the radicand, power raising to the radicand, and the root as
the index. Here we can write am/n = n√am.
We can convert radicals to rational exponents as well. Consider the square
root of a positive number √a. We can write the square root √a as a rational
exponent. √a = a1/2 which is a rational exponent.
Simplifying Rational Exponents
Now, that we have studied the formulas of rational exponents and how to write
rational exponents as radicals, let us solve some problems to learn how to
simplify rational exponents. To simplify rational exponents, we need to reduce
the exponential expression to its simplest form.
Example 1: Simplify the rational exponent 642/3
Solution: We can write 642/3 as 642/3 = (3√64)2 or 642/3 = 3√(64)2
It is easier to determine the cube root of 64 and then squaring it as compared
to finding the square of 64 and then finding its cube root. To simplify the
rational exponent 642/3, we have
642/3 = (3√64)2
⇒ 642/3 = (4)2
⇒ 642/3 = 16
Hence the rational exponent 642/3 is simplified to 16.
Let us consider another example using the rational exponents' formulas:
Example 2: Simplify the product of rational exponents 4(2x2/3)(7x5/4).
Solution: To simplify the given rational exponents, we will combine the
constant coefficients and separate the variables and use the formulas to
simplify the rational exponents.
4(2x2/3)(7x5/4) = (4 × 2 × 7) × (x2/3 × x5/4)
= 56 (x2/3 + 5/4) [Bases of the rational exponents are the same, hence we add the
rational exponents]
= 56 x23/12
Hence the product of rational exponents 4(2x2/3)(7x5/4) is equal to 56 x23/12.
Non-Integer Rational Exponents
Exponents with fractions and decimals are referred to as non-integer

rational exponents. The general format of a rational exponent is: apq��.
Here 'a' is the base and the rational number, pq�� is the exponent. Observe
the following examples of non integer rational
exponents. 20.5,523,111220.5,523,1112. Consider 27232723, where 2/3 is the non
integer rational exponent. It can also be written in the radical form as: 3√(27)2 =
(3√27)2
How to Simplify Non-Integer Rational Exponents?
The non-integer rational exponents can be solved in the same way by which
the exponents with integers are solved. Let us recall that if 'a' is the base and
'm' and 'n' are the exponents, which are non zero integers, the
following exponent rules are used to solve the exponents.
 am × an = am+n
 am / an = am-n
 (am)n = am × n
 a- m = 1/am
 n √am=(am)1n=amn��=(��)1�=��
Observe the following examples which show how the same exponential laws
are used to solve the fractional exponents as well.
 723×732=723+32=72×2+3×36=74+96=7136723×732=723+32=72×2+3×36=74+96=71
36
 (4−35)23=4−35×23=4−25(4−35)23=4−35×23=4−25
Tips and Tricks on Rational Exponents
 am/n = n√am
 a1/m × a1/n = a(1/m + 1/n)
 a1/m ÷ a1/n = a(1/m - 1/n)
 a1/m × b1/m = (ab)1/m
 a1/m ÷ b1/m = (a÷b)1/m
 (am)1/n = am/n
Express 31/3 × 91/9 × 271/27 using formulas of rational exponents.

Solution: We know that 9 is a square of 3, that is, 32 = 9 and 27 is a cube of 3,
that is, 33 = 27.
31/3 × 91/9 × 271/27 = 31/3 × (32)1/9 × (33)1/27
= 31/3 × 32/9 × 33/27 [Using (am)1/n = am/n]
= 31/3 × 32/9 × 31/9
= 31/3 + 2/9 + 1/9
= 36/9
= 32/3
Answer: 31/3 × 91/9 × 271/27 = 32/3

Rational Exponents

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Rational Exponents

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Rational Exponents

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Rational Exponents

Rational exponents are exponents of numbers that are expressed as rational

An exponential expression of the form am has a rational exponent if m is a

Rational exponents are defined as exponents that can be expressed in the

Rational Exponents Formulas

We can write the rational exponents expressions as radicals by identifying the

Exponents with fractions and decimals are referred to as non-integer

Express 31/3 × 91/9 × 271/27 using formulas of rational exponents.

You might also like