Section 6-4 : Rational Exponents. It is common practice in mathematics to present expressions with only positive exponents. For examplewould not be acceptable because of the y to the negative four. However we can define a negative exponent by changing it to the reciprocal. 1 For the previous example:

When you have an exponent of zero it will always equal 1. Example: You can also re-write an expression when it has a fractional exponent into an expression using a radical. Example: 2

Examples: Simplify each expression 3 Multiply the exponent through Multiply the two terms together Move the x term so the exponent becomes positive Subtract the exponents with common bases Simplify the exponent Move the y & z so the exponent becomes positive

Examples: Simplify each expression 4 Multiply the coefficients, multiply the variables Find common denominators and add the exponents Subtract the exponents with common bases Simplify the exponent

Homework: Page 247 Questions evens 5