1. Any number raised to zero is equal to one (1).

2. An expression with a negative exponent CANNOT be

written as an expression with a positive exponent.
−3 1
3. 2 is equal to 8.
4. Laws of exponents may be used to simplify expressions
with rational exponents.
1 −2
5. =9
3
6. 30 4−2 = 16
 RATIONAL
EXPONENTS

Prepared by:
Cherry Lou G. Lagrimas
 ILLUSTRATE SIMPLIFY APPRECIATE
EXPRESSIONS EXPRESSIONS EXPRESSIONS WITH
WITH WITH RATIONAL EXPONENTS
RATIONAL RATIONAL THROUGH DISCUSSION
EXPONENTS EXPONENTS
 Rational exponents are real number exponents
𝑎
that can be written in the form , where a and b are
𝑏
integers and b ≠ 0. Hence rational exponents can be
whole numbers, fractions, mixed numbers, and
decimals, together with their negative images.
 If the rules of integer exponents are applied to rational
exponents, then:

for any real number, variable or algebraic expression a,

and any positive integers m and n, where denominators
and bases are non-zero.
QUESTIONS
1
a. When is there a unique possible value of 𝑏 in Column C?
𝑛
1
b. When are there no possible values of 𝑏 in Column C?
𝑛
1
c. When are there two possible values of 𝑏 in Column C?
𝑛
1
d. If there are two possible values of 𝑏 in Column C, what can you observe about these two
𝑛

values?
Even though non-integral exponents have not been defined, we want the laws for integer exponents to also
1 1 𝑛
hold for expressions of the form 𝑏 . In particular, we want 𝑏
𝑛 𝑛 = b to hold, even when the exponent of b is
1
not an integer. How should 𝑏 be defined so that this equation holds?
𝑛
 1
If 𝑏 will be defined, it has to be a unique value. If there are two possible
𝑛
1 1
values, we will define 𝑏 to be the positive value. Thus, 25 = 5, not -5.
𝑛 2
Simplify the following expressions.

 12  12  1 1 1

 6  6  ( −4 ) ( −4 ) ( −4 )
7 7 7

  
 12  12  12  12  −
1
−
1
−
1
−
1
−
1
−
1
 10  10  10  10  13 13 13 13 13 13
4 4 4 4 4 4
    

 13  13  13  13  13  13  13 
 2  2  2  2  2  2  2 
       
 1 1

49 2 ( −64 ) 3

1 1

125 3 ( −100 ) 2

1 1
1000 3 ( −4 ) 2

1 1

( −32 ) 5 −81 4
 5
a 7

1 3

(r s
12 9 3
) a 2

2
 2

y 
3
  2 4

 m  m 
3 3
 1 
    y2 
 
1 1
−
  
1 2
mn5 7
k k 
4 3
1 2
   −
m n 4 7
 2
2
 8  3
( −64 ) 3  
 27 

−3 1 1 1
( −81) 4 −3
10 + 25 − 8  4 + 27
2 3 2 0
ASSIGNMENT

1. Study.
2. Bring the following materials:
a. manila paper
b. permanent marker
c. or laptop