4 RATIONALS

4.1 Principal Roots

Definition - Principal nth root of a
Let a be a real number radicand and n a positive integer, n ≥ 2.
1. If a> 0, then √
n
ais the positive number x such that x n=a .
2. The nth root of 0 is 0.
3. If a< 0and n is odd, then√n
ais a negative number x such that x n=a .
4. If a< 0and n is even, then √n
ais not a real number.
(Remember that if n is even, the nth root is always positive. Thus, if n is odd, and if n is
even.)
m
Definition - Radical: √
n m
a =a n
where a is a nonzero real number, n is a positive integer, m is an integer.

4.2 Law of Radicals

Theorem 4.1 √
n
a=a1 /n

Statements Reasons
Any expression without the expressed
√n a=√ a1
n
1
exponent is understood to have a power of 1.
2 √n a=a1 /n Definition of radical

Theorem 4.2: Multiplication of Radicals

√n a ⋅ √n b=√n ab
Statements Reasons
1 √ a ⋅ √ b=a ⋅b
n n 1 /n 1 /n
Definition of radical
2 √n a ⋅ √n b=(ab)1 /n Power of a Product Law
3 √n a ⋅ √n b=√n ab Definition of radicals

Theorem 4.3: Division of Radicals. Where b ≠ 0,

 √
√n a = n a
√n b b
Statements Reasons

1
√a= a
n 1/ n
Definition of radical
√n b b1/ n
()
1/ n
2
√n a = a Power of a Quotient Law
√n b b
3
√n b b √
√n a = n a Definition of radical

Theorem 4.4: Root of a Radical

√ √ a= √ a
m n mn

Statements Reasons
1 √ √ a= √a
m n m 1/ n
Definition of radical
2 √ √ a=(a )
m n 1 /n 1/ m
Definition of radical
3 √ √ a=a
m n 1/ mn
Power of a Power Law
4 √ √ a= √ a
m n mn
Definition of radical