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-   -   Math - Rational Exponents (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=96642)

  • May 29, 2007, 06:26 AM
    CanadianGem
    Math - Rational Exponents
    81^1/2=

    16^3/4=

    25^3/2=


    These questions are examples of work I have to... I am lost questions they gave us are
    125^1/3 = 3(looks like division box with little sqiggly curve)125
    = 3(looks like division box with little sqiggly curve)5^3
    = with the final answer being 5


    how is this possible please explain:confused:
  • May 29, 2007, 06:59 AM
    Nosnosna
    Rational exponents are also referred to as roots.

    In the first case, you have 81^(1/2). This is simply the square root of 81, which is 9. We know this because 9^2 is 81.

    125^(1/3) is the cube root of 125... the answer is 5, because 5^3 = 5*5*5 = 125.

    For exponents with a numerator other than 1, you can solve them in two parts:

    16^(3/4) = (16^1/4)^(3)
    16^(1/4) = 2 (since 2^4 = 2*2*2*2 = 16)
    2^3 = 2*2*2 = 8

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