1

SPECIAL FRACTION EXPONENT:

n
1
The exponent is most often used in the power of
n
monomials.
Examples: Do you notice any other type of mathematical
symbols that these special fraction exponents represent?

x  3 x  2 y 
1 1 1
3 3

2 4 2
 8 4 4


5 z  6 x  9 
1 1 1
2 2 2

3 6 3
 2 2

 1
Special Fraction Exponents, a , are more commonly known
N

as radicals in which the N value represents the root or index of

the radical. Index
1 Radical Symbol

Radicals: a  a
n n
Radicand
Note: The square root or ½ exponent is the most common 1
radical and does not need to have the index written. a  a
2

Steps for Simplifying Square Roots

1. Prime Factorization: Factor the Radicand Completely
2. Write the base of all perfect squares (PAIRS) outside of the
radical as product
3. Everything else (SINGLES) stays under the radical as a
product.
 Operations with Rational (Fraction) Exponents
The same operations of when to multiply, add, subtract
exponents apply with rational (fraction) exponents as did
with integer (whole) exponents
• Hint: Remember how to find common denominators and reduce.
1) 2 8 2) 7 6 3 5
3)
x x
3 3
3y 2y
5 5 8z  z
2 6

2x  5 b 
7
a 8
4) 5) 2 7 6) 1 5
2 3 4 2
3
a
 Radicals (Roots) and Rational Exponent Form
Rational Exponents Property:

Base  
POWER
ROOT ROOT
Base
POWER ROOT
( Base) POWER
OR

 x
m
x 
m
n n m OR n
x
Example 1: Change Rational to Radical Form
1
3 x 
2 4 
A] x 3 B] 5 C] x 2

Example 2: Change Radical to Rational Form

A]
3
x 5
B] 7
2x 9
C] 6x  5
 Radicals Classwork
# 1 – 4: Write in rational form.
1. 3 5 2. 5 7 3. x5 y6 4. 7
4a 8b 3
x 8x

#5 – 8: Write in radical form.

1 3
7 x  x
2 5
5. 3 6. 7.  8.
x 5 2 x 7
 Radicals Classwork #2
Determine if each pair are equivalent statements or not.

1. 3 4
2.
5
3
x and ( x )
4 5
x 3 and x 3

3. 4 6 2 3 4.( 7 6
x ) and 14 12
x and x x

18 3
5. 5 3
5
6. 6
x and x 3 x and x 9
 Simplifying Rational Exponents
• Apply normal operations with exponents.
• Convert to radical form.
• Simplify the radical expression based on the index and radicand.
5

4 x 
1 2 3
2
1. 27 3 2. 8 3 3. x 4. 7

9b  8 x   
2 5 4
8
5.  6. 4 3 7. 5 7
8. ab 2 c 3 9
5
a
 Radicals Classwork #3
Simplify the following expressions into simplest radical form
8 2 3

3
1. x 9 2. a 3. 12 5

5 1
6
x 9 a

3 4 6. 1 3
4.
4 4
5 5 5. 5  3 52 x x
3 4
 Change of Base (Index or Root)
• Write the radicand in prime factorization form
• REDUCE the fractions of Rational Exponents to rewrite radicals.
6
1. 27 2. 4
4 3.
3
b 6

10 15 8 4 6
3. x 4. 64 3. b
 Change of Base Practice Problems

6 3. 4
1. 25 2. 6 27x 3
81a 2

4. 6 8 5. 10 5 6. 4 10 4 2
16a 32a 36 x y z