Rational Exponents Simplifying Radical Expressions MTH 100 Rational Exponents Simplifying Radical Expressions
The Big Idea
Using Rational Exponents The other exponent rules still apply. Change radicals to rationals, apply the rules, then change back to radicals.
Multiplying/Dividing/Simplifying Radicals When the indexes are the same, and you are multiplying or dividing, you can split the radicals up or you can put them back together.
The Perfects Squares: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100,…, x2, x4, x6, x8,… Cubes: 1, 8, 27, 64, 125, 216, 343, 512, 729, 1000,…, x3, x6, x9, x12,… Fourths: 1, 16, 81, 256, 625, 1296, 2401, 4096, 6561, 1000,…, x4, x8, x12, x16,…