EXPONENTS AND RADICALS 5.1 Laws of Exponents Recall that some of the rules involving exponents were introduced in sections 2.5 and 2.6, We shall now present the rules involving exponents. In these rules, we shall assume that the symbols m and n are positive integers and any of the variables x and y should not be equal to zero when they appear in the denominator. The following are the rules involving exponents: 1, x™*xtaym en 2. (tyh=x"™ (?)4 = a8)! = ax Fe 26m) *(y7)4 oe in) (r ( -3x’y')* = -27x'y’if_m is less than n, then the exponent m-n will become negative or m-n <0. To illustrate, if we Jet m =3 and n = 8, then the let hand side will yield: x 1 z 1 290? 2a? & b 3q° 3q ap’? 2 (8)? ca a 2-6 rs?5.2 Radic 1 Expressions Algebraic expressions involving fractional exponents will be discussed extensively. Let us analyze the expression The expression can be written as xm = wy The right hand part of the expression can be expressed as, We The symbol "Vx" is to the nth root of the expression. If the value of n = 1, then we will have ay eof ‘The exponent of x is an integer. Ifn = 2, then, (= tye ‘The expression on the right hand side is known as the square root of x". Ifx = 3, then cyl? = vx" ‘The expression on the right hand side is called to as the cube root of x”. In the expression "x" , the symbol V is referred as the radical sign. The expression the radical sign is known asthe radicand Thus, x" is a radicand. The symbol n is called as It shows the order of the radical expression "Vx". It is also considered as the tor of the fractional exponent. Consider the expression > oxty ‘2x’y is the radicand. It is read as “the cube root of 2x“y” and the order of can also be written as an expression with fractional exponent. Ths, “the square root of 3xy™, In general, the order of the radical2 ae Buy The right hand side of the equation with the use of fractional exponent can be written as Bxy = xy)! 5,3 Rules Involving Radical Expression a tules on positive integral exponent discussed in previous section 5.1 is applicable to fractional exponents or radical expressions. ‘The assumption that n is a positive integer still can be used. But, the variables x and y must be greater than 0. Below are the rules: anys" (vz) =x that a fraction should be in reduced form if both the numerator and ‘no longer be divided by an expression, except itself its negative or 1. In ‘both the numerator and the denominator are divided by the GCF. In dealing ion is in reduced form if its form satisfies the following conditions: rational factors can be moved from the radicand, radical is expressed to its lowest possible order. - denominator of a fraction does not contain radical conditions when simplifying radical expressions.5.4.1 Removing Rational Factor from the Radicand ‘A factor of the radicand, which is in a perfect power, may be removed from the radicang by using rule numbers 1 and 2 of section 5.3. If the radical is of the second order, then we look for the factors of the radicand that is perfect square. Let us have some examples. Example 1. Simplify the following expressions: 1, vis 2, 450 3. f27x*y 4. J 28x°y7 Solutions: 1, First, we look at the order of radical. This radical is of the order 2. Second, we find for one of the factors of 32 that will give the greatest perfect square. We got 16 and 2. Using rule numbers 1 and 2 of section 5.3, we have Vi8= J9*2 =3y3 3. Employing the same step as in example 1, we have 150 = 25*2 = 52 3. We note that 27 is equal to the product of the factors 9 and 3 and x’ = x? * x. The ) ‘expression that is a perfect square is 9x°. Thus, 27x y= 9x? *3xy = 3x37 a 4, The factors of 28 are 4 and 7 and x°y’=x‘y*xy. Thus, y28xy’ = f4x'y’ * Ixy = 2x" [7x sier to simplify radical expressions of the second order, But, when the radical is of under the third order. So we should find for a factor of ‘cube. Thus,*Vi08 =" J27*4 = 27" Ja VF © Va = 3/4 Be One of the factors of 16 that will give a perfect cube is 8 since 8 = 2°. The expression x =x * x = (x)? * x. Hence, 3 6x? as V8x5* 2x ae, Vex° * 2x Very 3 fox Ox eOe One of the factors of 64 that will give a perfect fourth power is 16 since 16 = 2‘. The expression x°y° = x‘y* * xy’, Thus, = 2xy"/4xy? The number 375 = 125 * 3 and 125 = 5°. The expression x’y” = xy” * x and x°y’ = ye *3x = (5x73) 3xis wit Pare is Solution: 42 Reducing the Index of a Radical We note in section 5.4 that a radical expression can be in reduced form if such expression presented in its lowest possible order. Reduction of the order of a radical can be done easter en we use fractional exponents, If the radicand can be expressed as a power wherein the jonent is one of the factors of the index of the radical, then fractional exponent can be simplified. We will employ the fundamental principle of fraction to fractional exponents. Example 1. Simplify the following expressions: “V8 Nt 6 36x? The radicand can be expressed as 8 = 2°. Thus, yen 6 V8 =° V2? =26 =2? =J2 If we express the radical expression to an expression with fractional exponent, then, eae 8 =x? =v ‘The radicand can be expressed as 27x 27 = 3°x7” = (3x° °. Thus, «fi = fox} = 0} = 60") =v3x° radicand can be written as 36x? = (6x )’. Thus, “(GF = 6x): = (6):5.5 Addition/Subtraction of Radical Expressions When the terms are similar in algebraic expression, we add or combined them. Hence, radical expressions can also be added or subtracted if such radicals are of the same index and have the same radicand. Such radicals are also known as similar radicals. To add and subtract this radical, simplify add/subtract their coefficient and copy their common radicand, Example 1. Combine the following radical expression 4V5 +505 ~ 705 Since the terms are similar, then 4N5 + 55-75 = (445-7) 15 =2V5 In some cases, radicals do not appear similar. But, when these radicals are simplified, then some of them can be combined. Radicals which cannot be combined will be separated by a plus ® or minus (-) sign. Example 2. Combine the following expressions V27 +75 —Vi2 Solution: First, simplify the given addends. 27 = J9*3 = 9 *.3 = 3V3 V5 = V25*3 = 25 * V3 = 5V3 id = V4*3 = 4 * V3 = 203 Since the terms are similar, then we have 27+ V75 - V2 = 3V3 +53 - 23 =(3+5-2)¥3 = 63 ine the following expressions: [54 — 50 +4250 Thus, V8 +54 — V50 + 350 = 303 +32 - 5v2 + SN2 es — = 842-2025.6 Multiplication of Radical Expression In performing the multiplication operation on radical expressions, we shall consider again rule #2 of section 5.3, which is restated below: ht Wig oy Similarly, avx * bvy = abvxy These statements mean that the radicand of the multiplier can be multiplied to the radicang of the multiplicand if they are of the same order. Example 1. Multiply the expressions YS and V6~ Solution: — The two expressions are of the same order. Hence, Nba CPM eeNG We = 1/430 : Example 2, Multiply: 2V5 9 * = 3.3” Solution: Since the expressions are of the same order, then OARS MESSER - Example3. Multiply; 3V16 * V4 : lution: The given expressions are ofthe same order. Hence, 6V15 eeaia = 12Vel = 1244) = & (2x-y) (Y2x+y ) shall employ the method of multiplying monomials and the rulesThere are some instances, when we are required to multiply two or more radical expressions of different order. If the radicands of the multiplier and the multiplicand are equal, then we will convert the radicals into expressions with fractional exponents. And finally, we shall apply the rules in multiplying algebraic expressions by adding the exponents, Example 5. Multiply) V3 * V3 ' Solution: The given expressions can be written as | Nine Beas ety 3 To get the sum of exponents, we get first the LCD. In this case, the LCD is 6. Hence, ghoe git ey ee 38H nies Example 6. Multiply: 2x * = -Y2x7 Solution: Using fractional exponents, we have Yat * V2e 2" * Oxy? ow eu = Qr) 2x eyo" Notice that in the preceding examples, radicals are converted to expressions with fractional exponents. These exponents are then expressed as fractions with common denominator. The numerators are added to get the sum of the fractions. This method can also be applied in getting the product of radical expressions of different order and different radicals. Example 7. Multiply: V2x * Vax First, the two radicals shall be expressed into expressions of the same order. ‘Thus, A207 = (2x)? = 2x) = Vox = Vax® Y3x = (3x)? = Gx) = VGx = ix . VBE =F + Te | = V108xHence,