SIMPLIFYING RATIONAL EXPONENTS

To simplify expressions with rational exponents, the student needs to know the exponent rules and
how to add, subtract and multiply fractions.

Exponent Rules (ER)

1
a) ( xm ) ( xn ) = xm+n e) x- n =
xn
xm b n bn
b) = xm-n f) ( ) =
xn a an
m
n
c) (xm )n = xmn g) x n = xm

d) (xy)m = xm y m

Steps For Adding (or Subtracting) Fractions:

2 1
1) Find the Least Common +
3 7
Denominator. LCD = 21

14 3
2) Rewrite each fraction with +
21 21
the same denominator.

17
3) Add (or subtract) the
21
numerators.

Steps For Multiplying Fractions:

3 4 12 1
case I: Multiply numerators and multiply denominators: • = =
8 9 72 6

or :
1 1
3 4 1 1 1
case II: If possible "cross cancel" before multiplying. • = • =
8 9 2 3 6
2 3

This instructional aid was prepared by the Tallahassee Community College Learning Commons.
Example : Simplify the following expression using rational (fractional)
exponents.

( x25x )
2/3 3
y 1/2
−1/4 1/3
y

Solution: (See exponent rules on first page. These exponent rules are referred to in the steps
below.)

( x−1/4 y1/3 )
25x2/3 y 3 1/2

( 25x ) 1/2
2/3 x1/4 y 3 1
= (ERe) = x1/4
−1 4
y1 3 x

( 25xy1 3 y )
11 12 3 1/2 2 1 8 3 11
= (ERa) + = + =
3 4 12 12 12

( 25x ) 1/2
11 12 y8/3 3 1 9 1 8
= (ERb) - = - =
1 1 3 3 3 3

= (25)1/2 (x11/12)1/2 (y8/3)1/2 (ERd)

11 1 11
= 251/2 x11/24 y 4/3 (ERc) • =
12 2 24

4
8 1 4 1 4
• = • =
3 2 3 1 3
1

5 x11 12 y 4/3
= (ERg) 251/2 = 2 25 = 5

This instructional aid was prepared by the Tallahassee Community College Learning Commons.