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Mat1033 9 2
Mat1033 9 2
Objectives
a1/n
n
If a is a real number, then
n
a1/n = a.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 5
9.2 Rational Exponents
3
(a) 271/3 = 27 = 3
(b) 641/2 = 64 = 8
4
(c) –625 1/4 = – 625 = –5
4
(d) (–625)1/4 = –625 is not a real number because the radicand,
–625, is negative and the index is even.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 6
9.2 Rational Exponents
Caution on Roots
CAUTION
Notice the difference between parts (c) and (d) in Example 1. The radical
in part (c) is the negative fourth root of a positive number, while the radical
in part (d) is the principal fourth root of a negative number, which is
not a real number.
EXAMPLE 1
4
(c) –625 1/4 = – 625 = –5
4
(d) (–625) 1/4 = –625 is not a real number because the radicand,
–625, is negative and the index is even.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 7
9.2 Rational Exponents
5
(e) (–243)1/5 = –243 = –3
4 1/2 4 2
(f) = =
25 25 5
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 8
9.2 Rational Exponents
am/n
am/n = ( a1/n ) m,
provided that a1/n is a real number. If a1/n is not a real number, then am/n
is not a real number.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 9
9.2 Rational Exponents
(e) (–16)3/2 is not a real number, since (–16)1/2 is not a real number.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 10
9.2 Rational Exponents
EXAMPLE 3 Evaluating Exponentials with Negative
Rational Exponents
Evaluate each exponential.
(a) 32–4/5
–4/5
1
32 = 4/5 .
32
5 4
Since 32 4/5
= 32 = 24 = 16,
1 1
= 32 –4/5
= = .
324/5 16
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 11
9.2 Rational Exponents
EXAMPLE 3 Evaluating Exponentials with Negative
Rational Exponents
Evaluate each exponential.
8 –4/3 1 1 1 1 81
(b) = = = = =
27 8 4/3 8 4 2 4 16 16
3 81
27 27 3
b –m a m
We could also use the rule = here, as follows.
a b
27 4 3 4 81
8 –4/3 27 4/3
= = 3 = =
27 8 8 2 16
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 12
9.2 Rational Exponents
Caution on Roots
CAUTION
When using the rule in Example 3 (b), we take the reciprocal only of the
base, not the exponent. Also, be careful to distinguish between exponential
expressions like –321/5, 32–1/5, and –32–1/5.
1 1
–321/5 = –2, 32–1/5 = , and –32–1/5 = – .
2 2
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 13
9.2 Rational Exponents
am/n
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 14
9.2 Rational Exponents
n n
am/n = am= ( )a . m
In words, raise a to the mth power and then take the nth root, or take the
nth root of a and then raise to the mth power.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 15
9.2 Rational Exponents
EXAMPLE 4 Converting between Rational Exponents
and Radicals
Write each exponential as a radical. Assume that all variables represent
positive real numbers. Use the definition that takes the root first.
= 15 6 10 5
(a) 151/2 (b) 105/6 = ( )
3 n 2
(c) 4n2/3 = 4( )
4 h 3 5 2h 2
(d) 7h3/4 – (2h)2/5 = 7( ) – ( )
1 1
(e) g –4/5 = =
g4/5 5 g 4
( )
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 16
9.2 Rational Exponents
EXAMPLE 4 Converting between Rational Exponents
and Radicals
In (f) – (h), write each radical as an exponential. Simplify. Assume that all
variables represent positive real numbers.
(f) 33 = 331/2
(g) 3
76 = 76/3 = 72 = 49
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 17
9.2 Rational Exponents
Let r and s be rational numbers. For all real numbers a and b for which the
indicated expressions exist:
1 ar a –r r
r
a · a = a s r+s
a –r
= r s = a
r–s = br
a a b a
r 1
a = ar
r r
(a ) r s
= a rs
( ab ) r
= a b r r
a –r
= .
b b a
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 18
9.2 Rational Exponents
(b) 32/3 1
= 32/3 – 5/6 = 3–1/6 = Quotient rule
35/6 31/6
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 19
9.2 Rational Exponents
= m–99/16 n5
n5 Definition of negative
=
m99/16 exponent
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 20
9.2 Rational Exponents
= x1/10 – x27/20
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 21
9.2 Rational Exponents
CAUTION
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 22
9.2 Rational Exponents
4 3 3/4 2/3
(a) a 3 · a2 = a · a Convert to rational exponents.
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 23
9.2 Rational Exponents
(c) 5 3 5
x2 = x2/3
= ( x2/3 )1/5
= x2/15
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Sec 9.2 - 25