1. Rational Exponents
March 2, 2015

2. Essential Question
Explain how to rewrite an expression in radical notation as an expression using rational exponents.

3. Radical Terms Radicand – the number (or expression) inside a radical
Index – the “shelf” number that describes the type of radical
NOTE: Normal radicals (square roots) have an understood index of 2.

4. 16 = 4 because 42 = 16… the “index” is an understood 2 (What to the power of 2 equals 16?)vs
4 16 = 2 because 24 = 16… the “index” is 4 (What to the power of 4 equals 16?)

5. Definition of a Radical Exponent:

6. Rewrite each expression using rational (fractional) exponents.

7. Rewrite each expression using radical notation.

8. Evaluate each expression without using a calculator.

10. Practice

11. Were you right?