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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents

Warm Up

Lesson Presentation
Lesson Quiz

Holt Algebra 2 Holt ALgebra2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents

Warm Up
Simplify each expression.
1. 73 72 2. 118 116

75 121 729 or 36
5 3
2 35 7

3. (32)3

4. 75 5.
20 7

Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents

Objectives
Rewrite radical expressions by using rational exponents.
Simplify and evaluate radical expressions and expressions containing rational exponents.

Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents

Vocabulary
rational exponent

Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents

You are probably familiar with finding the square root of a number. These two operations are inverses of each other. Similarly, there are roots that correspond to larger powers.

5 and 5 are square roots of 25 because 52 = 25 and (5)2 = 25

2 is the cube root of 8 because 23 = 8. 2 and 2 are fourth roots of 16 because 24 = 16 and (2)4 = 16. a is the nth root of b if an = b.

Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents Example 1: Finding Real Roots

Find all real roots.

A. sixth roots of 64
A positive number has two real sixth roots. Because 26 = 64 and (2)6 = 64, the roots are 2 and 2. B. cube roots of 216 A negative number has one real cube root. Because (6)3 = 216, the root is 6. C. fourth roots of 1024 A negative number has no real fourth roots.
Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents Check It Out! Example 1

Find all real roots. a. fourth roots of 256 A negative number has no real fourth roots. b. sixth roots of 1 A positive number has two real sixth roots. Because 16 = 1 and (1)6 = 1, the roots are 1 and 1. c. cube roots of 125 A positive number has one real cube root. Because (5)3 = 125, the root is 5.
Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents

The properties of square roots in Lesson 1-3 also apply to nth roots.

Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents

Example 2A: Simplifying Radical Expressions

Simplify each expression. Assume that all variables are positive.

Factor into perfect fourths.

Product Property.
3xxx 3x3
Holt Algebra 2

Simplify.

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents

Example 2B: Simplifying Radical Expressions

Quotient Property. Simplify the numerator. Rationalize the numerator. Product Property. Simplify.
Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents Check It Out! Example 2a

Simplify the expression. Assume that all variables are positive.

4

16 x 4
4

24 x4
4

Factor into perfect fourths. Product Property. Simplify.

24 x4

2x 2x
Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents

Check It Out! Example 2b Simplify the expression. Assume that all variables are positive.

x8 4 3

Quotient Property. Rationalize the numerator. Product Property.

27 2 x 3

Simplify.

Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents

Check It Out! Example 2c Simplify the expression. Assume that all variables are positive.
3

x 7 i3 x 2
x9

Product Property of Roots.

Simplify.

x3

Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents

A rational exponent is an exponent that can be expressed as m , where m and n are integers and n n 0. Radical expressions can be written by using rational exponents.

Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents

Writing Math

The denominator of a rational exponent becomes the root of the radical.

Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents

Example 3: Writing Expressions in Radical Form Write the expression (32) in radical form and simplify. Method 1 Evaluate the root first. Method 2 Evaluate the power first. Write with a radical.
5
3 5

( -32 )
5

Write with a radical. Evaluate the root.

(2)3 8

-32,768 Evaluate the power.

Evaluate the power.

Evaluate the root.

Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents Check It Out! Example 3a

Write the expression 64 in radical form, and simplify. Method 1 Evaluate the root first.

1 3

( 64 )
3

Write with a radical. Evaluate the root. Evaluate the power.

(4)1
4
Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents Check It Out! Example 3b

Write the expression 4 simplify. Method 1 Evaluate the root first.

5 2

in radical form, and

( 4)
2

Write with a radical. Evaluate the root. Evaluate the power.

(2)5 32

Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents Check It Out! Example 3c

Write the expression 625 simplify. Method 1 Evaluate the root first.

3 4

in radical form, and

( 625 )
4

Write with a radical. Evaluate the root. Evaluate the power.

(5)3 125
Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents

Example 4: Writing Expressions by Using Rational Exponents

Write each expression by using rational exponents.

A. 13
4 8

B.
n

=a

m n

15 5

=a

m n

13

1 2

Simplify.

Simplify.

27
Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents Check It Out! Example 4

Write each expression by using rational exponents. a. 81

3 4

b. 10
9 3

c. 5 Simplify.
2 4

103 1000

1 2

Simplify.

Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents

Rational exponents have the same properties as integer exponents (See Lesson 1-5)

Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents

Example 5A: Simplifying Expressions with Rational Exponents

Simplify each expression.

Product of Powers. 72 49 Simplify. Evaluate the Power.

Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents

Example 5B: Simplifying Expressions with Rational Exponents Simplify each expression.

Quotient of Powers.

Simplify.
Negative Exponent Property.

1 4
Holt Algebra 2

Evaluate the power.

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents Check It Out! Example 5a

Simplify each expression.

Product of Powers. Simplify. 6 Evaluate the Power.

Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents Check It Out! Example 5c

Simplify each expression.

Quotient of Powers.
52 Simplify.

25

Evaluate the power.

Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents Check It Out! Example 5b

Simplify each expression. (8) 1 8 1 2

1 3

1 3

Negative Exponent Property. Evaluate the Power.

Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents Music Application

To find the distance a fret should be place from the bridge on a guitar, multiply the length of the string by , where n is the number of notes higher that the strings root note. Where should the fret be placed to produce the E note that is one octave higher on the E string (12 notes higher)? (Note: this string length is 64 cm)

= 64(21)

Use 64 cm for the length of the string, and substitute 12 for n. Simplify.

Negative Exponent Property.

Simplify. = 32 The fret should be placed 32 cm from the bridge.
Holt Algebra 2

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Radical Expressions and Rational Exponents Lesson Quiz: Part I

Find all real roots. 1. fourth roots of 625 2. fifth roots of 243 5, 5 3

Simplify each expression. 3. 2

2 3

4.

256 y 8

4y2

5. Write (216)

in radical form and simplify. 2 3 -216 = 36 5 3 5 6. Write 21 using rational exponents. 21 3

Holt Algebra 2