Lesson 18: Simplifying and Writing Expressions with Rational

Exponents as radicals and vice versa

Learning Competency
The learner will be able to:
a) simplify expressions with rational exponents; and
b) write expressions with rational exponents as radicals and vice versa.

Prepare Yourself
𝑎
The expression 𝑥 𝑏 is an expression with RATIONAL exponent. Below are examples of
expressions with rational exponents:
1 1 2 1
52 273 4𝑦3 (625𝑎𝑏3 )4
Definition
𝒂
Rational numbers are real numbers that can be written in the form 𝒃 where a and b are integers
and 𝒃 ≠ 𝟎. Thus, they can be whole numbers, mixed numbers, fractions and decimals, together
with their negative images.

Simplifying Expressions with Rational Exponents

1 2
Example 1. Simplify (𝑥 3 ) (𝑥 3 ).
SOLUTION:
1 2 1 2 3
(𝑥 3 ) (𝑥 3) = 𝑥 3+3 = 𝑥 3 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 1 = 𝒙

1 1
Example 2. Simplify (𝑛2 ) (𝑛3 ).
SOLUTION:
1 1 1 1 3 2 5
+ +
(𝑛2 ) (𝑛3 ) = 𝑛2 3 = 𝑛6 6 = 𝑛6

5
𝑐7
Example 3. Write 4 in simplest form.
𝑐7
SOLUTION:
5
𝑐7 5 4 1
4 = 𝑐 7−7 = 𝑐 7
𝑐7
1
Example 4. Reduce (𝑚4 𝑛6 )2 to its simplest form .
SOLUTION:
1 1 1 4 6
(𝑚4 𝑛6 )2 = 𝑚4•2 𝑛6•2 = 𝑚2 𝑛2 = 𝑚2 𝑛3

2 2
𝑦3
Example 5. Simplify ( 1 ) to its simplest form .
𝑦5
SOLUTION:

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 2 2 2 4
𝑦3 𝑦 3•2 𝑦 3 4 2 20 6 14
( 1 ) = 1 = 2 = 𝑦 3−5 = 𝑦 15−15 = 𝑦 15
𝑦5 𝑦 5•2 𝑦 5

Writing Expressions with Rational Exponents as Radicals and Vice versa

All expressions with rational exponents can be expressed in radical from and these are called
radical expressions.
𝒂 𝒃 𝒃 𝒂
𝒎𝒃 √𝒎𝒂 𝒐𝒓 ( √𝒎)
Where: Where:
m → base √ → radical sign
𝑎
→ exponent b → index
𝑏
m → radicand
a → exponent of the radicand/radical
Definition: Definition:
Base – the number that gets multiplied when Index – the small number that which
using an exponent. indicates the order of the radical
Exponent – indicates how many times the Radicand – the number inside the radical
base is taken as a factor. sigh or the number whose rootr are to be
considered

Examples: Write the ff. rational expression to radical form.

Expressions with Rational Exponents Radical Form
1
𝑥2 √𝑥
1
4
814 √81
2 3 2
73 √72 𝑜𝑟 ( 3√7)
3 3
5
(6𝑥 2)5 5
√(6𝑥 2)3 𝑜𝑟 ( √6𝑥 2)
3 4 3
2𝑥 4 2 √𝑥 3 𝑜𝑟 2( 4√𝑥 )

Examples: Write the ff. radical expression to expressions with rational exponent.
Radical Expressions Expressions with Rational Exponents
3 1
√12 123
5 2 2
√𝑟 2 𝑜𝑟 ( 5√𝑟) 𝑟5
3 2
√(5𝑥 )2 (5𝑥 )3
7 7 2 2
√(5𝑠 3)2 𝑜𝑟 ( √5𝑠 3) (5𝑠 3)7
4 3 3
9 √𝑥 3 𝑜𝑟 9( 4√𝑥 ) 9𝑥 4

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Learn More
For more illustrative examples, you may watch these short videos from youtube.com focusing
on the topics discussed.
Simplifying Expressions with Rational Exponent:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usKfEI7HVjg
Writing Expressions with Rational Exponent as Radicals and Vice Versa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isIow9sNW7c
Expand your Knowledge
To sum up, let’s ponder on the following questions.
1) Differentiate Expressions with Rational Exponents and Radical Expressions.
2) How do we simplify expressions with rational exponents?
3) How do we write expressions with rational exponents to radical form and vice versa?
Test Yourself
Activity: “TRANSFORMERS”

References:
Diaz, Zenaida et al. (2014). Next Century Mathematics (The New Grade 9). Phoenix
Publishing House, Inc., 927 Quezon Ave., Quezon City.
Lim, Yvette et al. (2014). Math for Engaged Learning (The New Grade 9). Sibs Publishing
House, Quezon City.
www.deped.gov.ph

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