Rational Exponents and Radicals

Christopher F. Santos

Algebra Lecture 5
De La Salle University

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

1/1

nth root of a

Let a, b R and n Z>1 .

If bn = a then b is said to be an nth root of a.
Examples:
1
2 and 2 are second roots or square roots of 4.
2
2 is a third root or cube root of 8.
3
2 and 2 are fourth roots of 16.
4
2 is a fifth root of 32.

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

2/1

nth root of a

Let a, b R and n Z>1 .

If bn = a then b is said to be an nth root of a.
Examples:
1
2 and 2 are second roots or square roots of 4.
2
2 is a third root or cube root of 8.
3
2 and 2 are fourth roots of 16.
4
2 is a fifth root of 32.

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

2/1

nth root of a

Let a, b R and n Z>1 .

If bn = a then b is said to be an nth root of a.
Examples:
1
2 and 2 are second roots or square roots of 4.
2
2 is a third root or cube root of 8.
3
2 and 2 are fourth roots of 16.
4
2 is a fifth root of 32.

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

2/1

nth root of a

Let a, b R and n Z>1 .

If bn = a then b is said to be an nth root of a.
Examples:
1
2 and 2 are second roots or square roots of 4.
2
2 is a third root or cube root of 8.
3
2 and 2 are fourth roots of 16.
4
2 is a fifth root of 32.

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

2/1

nth root of a

Let a, b R and n Z>1 .

If bn = a then b is said to be an nth root of a.
Examples:
1
2 and 2 are second roots or square roots of 4.
2
2 is a third root or cube root of 8.
3
2 and 2 are fourth roots of 16.
4
2 is a fifth root of 32.

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

2/1

Principal nth root of a

Let a, b R and n Z>1 .

The principal nth root of a, denoted n a, is defined as

follows:

If a > 0, then n a is the nth root of a that is

positive.

If a < 0 and n is odd, then n a is the nth root of a

that is negative.

If a = 0, then n 0 = 0.
Note:
1
The principal nth root of a real number is unique.

2
If a < 0 and n is even, then n a 6 R .
Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

3/1

Principal nth root of a

Let a, b R and n Z>1 .

The principal nth root of a, denoted n a, is defined as

follows:

If a > 0, then n a is the nth root of a that is

positive.

If a < 0 and n is odd, then n a is the nth root of a

that is negative.

If a = 0, then n 0 = 0.
Note:
1
The principal nth root of a real number is unique.

2
If a < 0 and n is even, then n a 6 R .
Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

3/1

Principal nth root of a

2 and 2 are second roots or square roots of 4.

BUT 4 = 2.
2 is a third root or cube root of 8.

BUT 3 8 = 2.
2 and 2 are fourth roots of 16.

BUT 4 16 = 2.
2 is a fifth root of 32.

BUT 5 32 = 2.

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

4/1

Principal nth root of a

2 and 2 are second roots or square roots of 4.

BUT 4 = 2.
2 is a third root or cube root of 8.

BUT 3 8 = 2.
2 and 2 are fourth roots of 16.

BUT 4 16 = 2.
2 is a fifth root of 32.

BUT 5 32 = 2.

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

4/1

Principal nth root of a

2 and 2 are second roots or square roots of 4.

BUT 4 = 2.
2 is a third root or cube root of 8.

BUT 3 8 = 2.
2 and 2 are fourth roots of 16.

BUT 4 16 = 2.
2 is a fifth root of 32.

BUT 5 32 = 2.

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

4/1

Principal nth root of a

2 and 2 are second roots or square roots of 4.

BUT 4 = 2.
2 is a third root or cube root of 8.

BUT 3 8 = 2.
2 and 2 are fourth roots of 16.

BUT 4 16 = 2.
2 is a fifth root of 32.

BUT 5 32 = 2.

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

4/1

Radical Expression

In the symbol

= radical sign
b = radicand

b,
n = index

n
b = radical

If no index is written, it is taken to be 2.

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

5/1

Radical Expression

In the symbol

= radical sign
b = radicand

b,
n = index

n
b = radical

If no index is written, it is taken to be 2.

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

5/1

Rational Exponents
If n Z+ and m Z such that mn is in lowest terms,
then

1
a n = n a, and
 1 m

m
n
= ( n a)m
a = an
Examples:

1
1
42 = 4 = 2

2
3
2
27 3 = ( 27)2 = 32 = 9

1
3
(32) 5 = 5 32 = 2

1
3
4
9 2 = ( 9)3 = 33 =
27
Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

6/1

Rational Exponents
If n Z+ and m Z such that mn is in lowest terms,
then

1
a n = n a, and
 1 m

m
n
= ( n a)m
a = an
Examples:

1
1
42 = 4 = 2

2
3
2
27 3 = ( 27)2 = 32 = 9

1
3
(32) 5 = 5 32 = 2

1
3
4
9 2 = ( 9)3 = 33 =
27
Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

6/1

Rational Exponents
If n Z+ and m Z such that mn is in lowest terms,
then

1
a n = n a, and
 1 m

m
n
= ( n a)m
a = an
Examples:

1
1
42 = 4 = 2

2
3
2
27 3 = ( 27)2 = 32 = 9

1
3
(32) 5 = 5 32 = 2

1
3
4
9 2 = ( 9)3 = 33 =
27
Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

6/1

Rational Exponents
If n Z+ and m Z such that mn is in lowest terms,
then

1
a n = n a, and
 1 m

m
n
= ( n a)m
a = an
Examples:

1
1
42 = 4 = 2

2
3
2
27 3 = ( 27)2 = 32 = 9

1
3
(32) 5 = 5 32 = 2

1
3
4
9 2 = ( 9)3 = 33 =
27
Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

6/1

Rational Exponents
If n Z+ and m Z such that mn is in lowest terms,
then

1
a n = n a, and
 1 m

m
n
= ( n a)m
a = an
Examples:

1
1
42 = 4 = 2

2
3
2
27 3 = ( 27)2 = 32 = 9

1
3
(32) 5 = 5 32 = 2

1
3
4
9 2 = ( 9)3 = 33 =
27
Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

6/1

Rational Exponents
 1 m
Remark: (a ) is not always equal to a n .
They are not equal if a < 0 and n is even.
m

1
n

Example:

1
1
6 2
(4)
= 4096 2 = 64
BUT
h

Christopher F. Santos

(4)

1
2

i6

is undefined

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

7/1

Rational Exponents
 1 m
Remark: (a ) is not always equal to a n .
They are not equal if a < 0 and n is even.
m

1
n

Example:

1
1
6 2
(4)
= 4096 2 = 64
BUT
h

Christopher F. Santos

(4)

1
2

i6

is undefined

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

7/1

Laws of Radicals

The laws of integral exponents can be extended to

rational exponents.

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

8/1

Recall: Laws of Integral Exponents

Let a, b R and m, n Z. Then
1

am an = am+n

am
= amn
n
a

(am )n = amn
5

If a 6= 0, then

n n

(ab) = a b

Christopher F. Santos

If b 6= 0, then
 a n a n
= n
b
b

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

9/1

Laws of Rational Exponents

Let a, b R and m, n Q. Then
1

am an = am+n

am
= amn
n
a

(am )n = amn
5

If a 6= 0, then

n n

(ab) = a b

Christopher F. Santos

If b 6= 0, then
 a n a n
= n
b
b

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

10 / 1

Examples

(x 2 + y 2 )(x 2 y 2 ) = (x 2 )2 (y 2 )2 = x y
27a

32

8a3 b

21

Christopher F. Santos

! 23
=

9b
4a3

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

11 / 1

Examples

(x 2 + y 2 )(x 2 y 2 ) = (x 2 )2 (y 2 )2 = x y
27a

32

8a3 b

21

Christopher F. Santos

! 23
=

9b
4a3

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

11 / 1

Examples

(x 2 + y 2 )(x 2 y 2 ) = (x 2 )2 (y 2 )2 = x y
27a

32

8a3 b

21

Christopher F. Santos

! 23
=

9b
4a3

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

11 / 1

Examples

(x 2 + y 2 )(x 2 y 2 ) = (x 2 )2 (y 2 )2 = x y
27a

32

8a3 b

21

Christopher F. Santos

! 23
=

9b
4a3

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

11 / 1

Examples

(x 2 + y 2 )(x 2 y 2 ) = (x 2 )2 (y 2 )2 = x y
27a

32

8a3 b

21

Christopher F. Santos

! 23
=

9b
4a3

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

11 / 1

Laws of Radicals

Let m, n Z>1 and a, b R with a, b 0 when m or n

is even.

n
n
1
an = a; ank = ak , k Z

n
2
a n b = n ab
r

n
a
a
n
3

=
, b 6= 0
n
b
b

m
n
4
am = a n
p

n
m
5
a = mn a

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

12 / 1

Examples
1

12

3=6

3
48

=2
3
6

x 2 = x (if x > 0)

m
NOTE: If n is even, n am = a n is true only if a > 0.
If n is even and a < 0, it is not necessarily true.
p
p
2
4
Example: (1)2 6= (1) 2 BUT (1)4 = (1) 2 .
(

a
, if n is odd
In general, n an =
|a| , if n is even
Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

13 / 1

Simplification of Radicals
A radical is in simplest form if all of the following
conditions are satisfied:
1. No factors under a radical of index n is of perfect
nth power

Ex. 192a3 b6 = 8ab3 3a

2. The radicand is positive for a radical with odd
index
p
p
Ex. 3 8x 7 y 2 = 2x 2 3 xy 2
3. No fraction under the radical sign
r
75 5
Ex.
=
12 2
Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

14 / 1

Simplification of Radicals

4. The radical has the smallest possible index

r

3
9
3
6
=
Ex.
(not yet simplified)
3
16
4
5. No radical
in the denominator of a fraction

3
3
3
6
Ex.
=
3
2
4
(This process is called rationalization.)

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

15 / 1

Addition and Subtraction of Radicals

After simplification, combine radicals with the same

index and radicand
Examples:

3
1
2 + 3 16 3 54 = 0

2
3 18 3 32 + 3 12 3 3 = 3 3 3 2

Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

16 / 1

Multiplication and Division of Radicals

If the radicals have the same index, we use
r

a
n
n
n
n a
=
a b = ab or
(if b 6= 0)
n
b
b
Otherwise,
we
first make their indices the same by

mn
n
using a =
am .
Examples:
p
p

1
3x 2 y 3 12x 5 y = 6x 3 y 2 x

3
6
2
2
= x 72x
p3x 2xp
6
xy 2
x 5y 4
3
p
=
3
x
x 2y
Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

17 / 1

More on Rationalization of Radicals

In rationalization, the following special products are
important
1
(a + b)(a b) = a2 b2
2
(a b)(a2 ab + b2 ) = a3 b3
Examples:

3
1
=63 3
2+ 3

5
5
7
+
5
3
2
=

4
7 3

3
2 3 xy + 3 y 2
x
1
3

=
3
x +y
x+ 3y
Christopher F. Santos

Rational Exponents and Radicals

DLSU Algebra Lecture 5

18 / 1