I.

Introduction

Good day Grade IX Learners!

I am Teacher Richel.

Today I will help you in your learning journey as you simplify expressions

with rational exponents

II. Discussion

Simplifying Expressions With Rational Exponents

Note: When simplifying expressions with rational exponents you should

remember the laws of integral exponents. The rule is the same.
However, you need to remember the rules in adding fractions. In adding
fraction, you can only add fractions if they are similar otherwise you need
to change dissimilar fraction to similar fraction.
2 2
Example: Simplify ( 2c 5 )( 23 c 5 ).

2 2 2 2
( 2c )( 2 c ) = 2
5 3 5 1+3
c
+
5 5 applying Product of a Power: a m·a n= a m+n

4
= 24 c 5 applying the rule in adding fraction

4
= 16 c 5 simplify

2 2 4
Therefore, ( 2c 5 )( 23 c 5 ) = 16 c 5

Do you follow?
Great. Let us now continue.
4 5
Example: Simplify ( x 13 )( x 26 )
 4 5 4 5
( x )( x )= x
13 26
+
13 26 applying Product of a Power: a m·a n= a m+n

8 5
= x 26 + 26 applying the rule in adding dissimilar fraction

13
= x 26

1
= x 2 simplify
4 5 1
Therefore, ( x 13 )( x 26 ) = x 2

1 3
h a5 w 8
Another example: Simplify 1 8
−2
h a5 w 4
1 3
h a5 w 8 1 1 3 8 am
y 1 8 =h 1−(−2)
a
−
5 5
w
−
8 4 applying Quotient of a Power: ( an )=a m−n
−2 5 4
h a w
3 16
= h1 +2 a 0 w 8 − 8 applying the rule in subtraction of integers and
fraction
−13
= (h3 )(1)w 8

−13
= h3 w 8 final answer must have a positive exponent,
hence we apply simplifying expression with
negative exponent
h3
= 13
8
w
1 3
ha w 5 8 h3
Therefore, 1 8 = 13
−2
h a w 5 4 w8

Do you follow?
Great. Let us continue.
1 1 2
Example: Simplify(5 2 x 4 )
 1 1 2 1 1
(5 x )
2 4 = 5( 2 )(2) x( 4 )( 2) applying Power of a Power: ( a m )n=a mn
2 2
= 52 x 4
1
= 51 x 2 simplify
1
= 5x 2
1 1 2 1
Therefore, (5 2 x 4 ) =5 x 2

1
a12
One more example: Simplify ( )
b6
6

1
12 1
a ( a12 ) 6
( )=(
b 6
6

b )
1
6 6

( 12 ) ( 16 )
a
= 1 applying Power of a Power: ( a m )n=a mn
b
( 6) ()
6

12
6
a
= 6
b6

a2
= b1
simplify

a2
= b
1
a12 a2
Therefore, ( )b6
6
= b

At this point let us wrap-up what you have learned.

Remember:
When simplifying expressions with rational exponent, follow the rules on
the law of exponent and rules in performing integers and fractions.

Exit Message
This ends our video lesson for today. Once again, this is Teacher Richel
wishing you a wonderful day. Happy Learning!