Powers, Roots, & Radicals OBJECTIVE: To Evaluate and Simplify using properties of exponents and radicals.

 Rational Numbers: can be written as a ratio.  Rational Expression:  Rational Function:

Radicand Index

SSimplest Form – properties of radicals have been applied, perfect nth powers have been removed, and any denominators have been rationalized. LLike Radicals – radical expressions that have the same index and the same radicand.

 Example: 3 1/2. 3 3/2

 Example: (4 3/2 ) 2

Example: (9. 4) 1/2

Example: 25 -1/2

Example:

Example Property:

 Use the properties of rational exponents to simplify the expressions.  a.  b.  c.

Can only combine like terms! Goal is to simplify each term to see if “life terms” result. “Like radicals” have the same index and the same radicand.

 Read Section 7.2  Pgs : (x3)