A14 Appendix A Review of Fundamental Concepts of Algebra

A.2 EXPONENTS AND RADICALS

What you should learn Integer Exponents

• Use properties of exponents.
Repeated multiplication can be written in exponential form.
• Use scientific notation to represent
real numbers. Repeated Multiplication Exponential Form
• Use properties of radicals. a⭈a⭈a⭈a⭈a a5
• Simplify and combine radicals.
• Rationalize denominators and 共⫺4兲共⫺4兲共⫺4兲 共⫺4兲3
numerators. 共2x兲共2x兲共2x兲共2x兲 共2x兲4
• Use properties of rational exponents.

Why you should learn it Exponential Notation

Real numbers and algebraic expressions If a is a real number and n is a positive integer, then
are often written with exponents and
radicals. For instance, in Exercise 121 an ⫽ a ⭈ a ⭈ a . . . a
on page A26, you will use an expression
involving rational exponents to find the n factors
times required for a funnel to empty for where n is the exponent and a is the base. The expression an is read “a to the nth
different water heights.
power.”

An exponent can also be negative. In Property 3 below, be sure you see how to use a
negative exponent.

Properties of Exponents
Let a and b be real numbers, variables, or algebraic expressions, and let m and n
be integers. (All denominators and bases are nonzero.)
T E C H N O LO G Y
Property Example
You can use a calculator to 1. a a ⫽ a
m n m⫹n
3 2
⭈3 4
⫽ 32⫹4 ⫽ 36 ⫽ 729
evaluate exponential expressions.
am x7
When doing so, it is important to 2. ⫽ am⫺n ⫽ x7⫺ 4 ⫽ x 3
know when to use parentheses an x4
because the calculator follows the
冢冣 冢冣
1 n
1 1 1 4
order of operations. For instance, 3. a⫺n ⫽ ⫽ y⫺4 ⫽ ⫽
an a y4 y
evaluate 共⫺2兲4 as follows.
4. a0 ⫽ 1, a⫽0 共x 2 ⫹ 1兲0 ⫽ 1
Scientific:
5. 共ab兲m ⫽ am bm 共5x兲3 ⫽ 53x3 ⫽ 125x3
冇 2 ⴙⲐⴚ 冈 yx 4 ⴝ
1
Graphing: 6. 共am兲n ⫽ amn 共 y3兲⫺4 ⫽ y3(⫺4) ⫽ y⫺12 ⫽
y12
冇 冇ⴚ冈 2 冈 4 ENTER
>

冢b冣 冢x冣
a m am 2 3 23 8
The display will be 16. If you 7. ⫽ ⫽ ⫽
bm x3 x3
omit the parentheses, the display
will be ⫺16. ⱍ ⱍ ⱍⱍ
8. a2 ⫽ a 2 ⫽ a2 ⱍ共⫺2兲2ⱍ ⫽ ⱍ⫺2ⱍ2 ⫽ 共2兲2 ⫽ 4
 Appendix A.2 Exponents and Radicals A15

It is important to recognize the difference between expressions such as 共⫺2兲4 and

⫺2 . In 共⫺2兲4, the parentheses indicate that the exponent applies to the negative sign
4

as well as to the 2, but in ⫺24 ⫽ ⫺ 共24兲, the exponent applies only to the 2. So,
共⫺2兲4 ⫽ 16 and ⫺24 ⫽ ⫺16.
The properties of exponents listed on the preceding page apply to all integers m and
n, not just to positive integers, as shown in the examples in this section.

Example 1 Evaluating Exponential Expressions

a. 共⫺5兲2 ⫽ 共⫺5兲共⫺5兲 ⫽ 25 Negative sign is part of the base.

b. ⫺52 ⫽ ⫺ 共5兲共5兲 ⫽ ⫺25 Negative sign is not part of the base.

c. 2 ⭈ 24 ⫽ 21⫹4 ⫽ 25 ⫽ 32 Property 1
4
4 1 1
d. ⫽ 44⫺6 ⫽ 4⫺2 ⫽ 2 ⫽ Properties 2 and 3
46 4 16
Now try Exercise 11.

Example 2 Evaluating Algebraic Expressions

Evaluate each algebraic expression when x ⫽ 3.

1
a. 5x⫺2 b. 共⫺x兲3
3

Solution
a. When x ⫽ 3, the expression 5x⫺2 has a value of
5 5
5x⫺2 ⫽ 5共3兲⫺2 ⫽ 2
⫽ .
3 9
1
b. When x ⫽ 3, the expression 共⫺x兲3 has a value of
3
1 1 1
共⫺x兲3 ⫽ 共⫺3兲3 ⫽ 共⫺27兲 ⫽ ⫺9.
3 3 3
Now try Exercise 23.

Example 3 Using Properties of Exponents

Use the properties of exponents to simplify each expression.

冢5xy 冣
3 2
a. 共⫺3ab4兲共4ab⫺3兲 b. 共2xy2兲3 c. 3a共⫺4a2兲0 d.

Solution
a. 共⫺3ab4兲共4ab⫺3兲 ⫽ 共⫺3兲共4兲共a兲共a兲共b4兲共b⫺3兲 ⫽ ⫺12a 2b
b. 共2xy 2兲3 ⫽ 23共x兲3共 y 2兲3 ⫽ 8x3y6
c. 3a共⫺4a 2兲0 ⫽ 3a共1兲 ⫽ 3a, a ⫽ 0
5x 3 2 52共x 3兲2 25x 6
d. 冢y冣 ⫽
y2
⫽
y2
Now try Exercise 31.
A16 Appendix A Review of Fundamental Concepts of Algebra

Example 4 Rewriting with Positive Exponents

Rarely in algebra is there only Rewrite each expression with positive exponents.
one way to solve a problem.
12a3b⫺4 2 ⫺2
Don’t be concerned if the steps
you use to solve a problem are
a. x⫺1 b.
1
3x⫺2
c.
4a⫺2b
d. 冢3xy 冣
not exactly the same as the steps
Solution
presented in this text. The
important thing is to use steps 1
a. x⫺1 ⫽ Property 3
that you understand and, of x
course, steps that are justified
1 1共x 2兲 x 2
by the rules of algebra. For b. ⫽ ⫽ The exponent ⫺2 does not apply to 3.
instance, you might prefer the 3x⫺2 3 3
following steps for Example 4(d). 12a3b⫺4 12a3 ⭈ a2
c. ⫽ Property 3
4a⫺2b 4b ⭈ b4
冢 冣 冢 冣
3x 2 ⫺2 y 2 y2
⫽ ⫽ 4
y 3x 2 9x 3a5
⫽ Property 1
Note how Property 3 is used b5
in the first step of this solution. ⫺2 3⫺2共x 2兲⫺2
The fractional form of this d. 冢 冣
3x 2
y
⫽
y⫺2
Properties 5 and 7
property is
⫺m 3⫺2x⫺4
冢冣 冢冣. ⫽
m
a b Property 6
⫽ y⫺2
b a
y2
⫽ Property 3
32x 4
y2
⫽ Simplify.
9x 4
Now try Exercise 41.

Scientific Notation
Exponents provide an efficient way of writing and computing with very large (or very
small) numbers. For instance, there are about 359 billion billion gallons of water on
Earth—that is, 359 followed by 18 zeros.
359,000,000,000,000,000,000
It is convenient to write such numbers in scientific notation. This notation has the form
± c ⫻ 10n, where 1 ≤ c < 10 and n is an integer. So, the number of gallons of water on
Earth can be written in scientific notation as
3.59 ⫻ 100,000,000,000,000,000,000 ⫽ 3.59 ⫻ 1020.
The positive exponent 20 indicates that the number is large (10 or more) and that
the decimal point has been moved 20 places. A negative exponent indicates that the
number is small (less than 1). For instance, the mass (in grams) of one electron is
approximately
9.0 ⫻ 10⫺28 ⫽ 0.0000000000000000000000000009.

28 decimal places
 Appendix A.2 Exponents and Radicals A17

Example 5 Scientific Notation

Write each number in scientific notation.

a. 0.0000782 b. 836,100,000

Solution
a. 0.0000782 ⫽ 7.82 ⫻ 10⫺5
b. 836,100,000 ⫽ 8.361 ⫻ 108
Now try Exercise 45.

Example 6 Decimal Notation

Write each number in decimal notation.

a. ⫺9.36 ⫻ 10⫺6
b. 1.345 ⫻ 102

Solution
a. ⫺9.36 ⫻ 10⫺6 ⫽ ⫺0.00000936
b. 1.345 ⫻ 102 ⫽ 134.5
Now try Exercise 55.

T E C H N O LO G Y
Most calculators automatically switch to scientific notation when they are showing
large (or small) numbers that exceed the display range.
To enter numbers in scientific notation, your calculator should have an exponential
entry key labeled
EE or EXP .
Consult the user’s guide for your calculator for instructions on keystrokes and how
numbers in scientific notation are displayed.

Example 7 Using Scientific Notation

共2,400,000,000兲共0.0000045兲
Evaluate .
共0.00003兲共1500兲
Solution
Begin by rewriting each number in scientific notation and simplifying.
共2,400,000,000兲共0.0000045兲 共2.4 ⫻ 109兲共4.5 ⫻ 10⫺6兲
⫽
共0.00003兲共1500兲 共3.0 ⫻ 10⫺5兲共1.5 ⫻ 103兲
共2.4兲共4.5兲共103兲
⫽
共4.5兲共10⫺2兲
⫽ 共2.4兲共105兲
⫽ 240,000
Now try Exercise 63(b).
A18 Appendix A Review of Fundamental Concepts of Algebra

Radicals and Their Properties

A square root of a number is one of its two equal factors. For example, 5 is a square
root of 25 because 5 is one of the two equal factors of 25. In a similar way, a cube root
of a number is one of its three equal factors, as in 125 ⫽ 53.

Definition of nth Root of a Number

Let a and b be real numbers and let n ⱖ 2 be a positive integer. If
a ⫽ bn
then b is an nth root of a. If n ⫽ 2, the root is a square root. If n ⫽ 3, the root
is a cube root.

Some numbers have more than one nth root. For example, both 5 and ⫺5 are square
roots of 25. The principal square root of 25, written as 冪25, is the positive root, 5. The
principal nth root of a number is defined as follows.

Principal nth Root of a Number

Let a be a real number that has at least one nth root. The principal nth root of a
is the nth root that has the same sign as a. It is denoted by a radical symbol
冪
n a. Principal nth root

The positive integer n is the index of the radical, and the number a is the radicand.
If n ⫽ 2, omit the index and write 冪a rather than 冪 2
a. (The plural of index is
indices.)

A common misunderstanding is that the square root sign implies both negative and
positive roots. This is not correct. The square root sign implies only a positive root.
When a negative root is needed, you must use the negative sign with the square root
sign.
Incorrect: 冪4 ⫽ ± 2 Correct: ⫺ 冪4 ⫽ ⫺2 and 冪4 ⫽ 2

Example 8 Evaluating Expressions Involving Radicals

a. 冪36 ⫽ 6 because 62 ⫽ 36.

b. ⫺ 冪36 ⫽ ⫺6 because ⫺ 共冪36兲 ⫽ ⫺ 共冪62兲 ⫽ ⫺ 共6兲 ⫽ ⫺6.

冪
c. 3
125 5
64
⫽ because
4 4冢冣
5 3 53 125
⫽ 3⫽
4 64
.

d. 冪5 ⫺32 ⫽ ⫺2 because 共⫺2兲5 ⫽ ⫺32.

e. 冪4 ⫺81 is not a real number because there is no real number that can be raised to the

fourth power to produce ⫺81.

Now try Exercise 65.
 Appendix A.2 Exponents and Radicals A19

Here are some generalizations about the nth roots of real numbers.

Generalizations About nth Roots of Real Numbers

Real Number a Integer n Root(s) of a Example

4 81 ⫽ 3,
a > 0 n > 0, n is even. 冪
n a,
⫺冪
n a 冪 4 81 ⫽ ⫺3
⫺冪
a > 0 or a < 0 n is odd. 冪
n
a 冪
3
⫺8 ⫽ ⫺2
a < 0 n is even. No real roots 冪⫺4 is not a real number.

a⫽0 n is even or odd. n 0 ⫽ 0

冪 5 0 ⫽ 0
冪

Integers such as 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, and 36 are called perfect squares because they
have integer square roots. Similarly, integers such as 1, 8, 27, 64, and 125 are called
perfect cubes because they have integer cube roots.

Properties of Radicals
Let a and b be real numbers, variables, or algebraic expressions such that the
indicated roots are real numbers, and let m and n be positive integers.
Property Example
1. 冪
n am ⫽共 冪 兲
n a m 冪
3 82 ⫽共 3 8 2
冪 兲 ⫽ 共2兲2 ⫽ 4
2. 冪
n a
⭈冪
n b ⫽冪
n ab 冪5 ⭈ 冪7 ⫽ 冪5 ⭈ 7 ⫽ 冪35

冪ab , 冪279 ⫽
冪
n
a 冪
4
27
3. ⫽ n b⫽0 ⫽ 4 冪
4 3
冪
n b 冪
4 9

4. 冪 冪a ⫽ mn
m n
冪a 冪
3 冪
10 ⫽ 冪
6 10

5. 共冪 a兲 ⫽ a 共冪3 兲2 ⫽ 3
n n

n an ⫽ a .
6. For n even, 冪 ⱍⱍ 冪共⫺12兲2 ⫽ ⫺12 ⫽ 12 ⱍ ⱍ
For n odd, 冪
n an ⫽ a. 冪
3 共⫺12兲 ⫽ ⫺123

A common special case of Property 6 is 冪a2 ⫽ a . ⱍⱍ

Example 9 Using Properties of Radicals

Use the properties of radicals to simplify each expression.

⭈ 冪2 b. 共冪 兲 3
a. 冪8 3 5 c. 冪
3 x3 d. 冪
6 y6

Solution
a. 冪8 ⭈ 冪2 ⫽ 冪8 ⭈ 2 ⫽ 冪16 ⫽ 4
b. 共
冪
3 5
兲3 ⫽ 5
c. 3 x3 ⫽ x
冪
d. 6 y6 ⫽ y
冪 ⱍⱍ
Now try Exercise 77.
A20 Appendix A Review of Fundamental Concepts of Algebra

Simplifying Radicals
An expression involving radicals is in simplest form when the following conditions are
satisfied.
1. All possible factors have been removed from the radical.
2. All fractions have radical-free denominators (accomplished by a process called
rationalizing the denominator).
3. The index of the radical is reduced.
To simplify a radical, factor the radicand into factors whose exponents are
multiples of the index. The roots of these factors are written outside the radical, and the
“leftover” factors make up the new radicand.

Example 10 Simplifying Even Roots

WARNING / CAUTION
When you simplify a radical, it Perfect Leftover
is important that both expressions 4th power factor
are defined for the same values
of the variable. For instance, a. 冪
4
48 ⫽ 冪
4
16 ⭈3⫽冪2 ⭈ 3 ⫽ 2冪
4 4 4
3
in Example 10(b), 冪75x3 and Perfect Leftover
5x冪3x are both defined only square factor
for nonnegative values of x.
Similarly, in Example 10(c), b. 冪75x3 ⫽ 冪25x 2 ⭈ 3x Find largest square factor.
冪 ⱍⱍ
4 共5x兲4 and 5 x are both
⫽ 冪共5x兲2 ⭈ 3x
defined for all real values of x.
⫽ 5x冪3x Find root of perfect square.
c. 冪
4
共5x兲 ⫽ ⱍ5xⱍ ⫽ 5ⱍxⱍ
4

Now try Exercise 79(a).

Example 11 Simplifying Odd Roots

Perfect Leftover
cube factor

3 24 ⫽ 冪
a. 冪 3 8
⭈3⫽冪
3 23
⭈ 3 ⫽ 2冪
3 3

Perfect Leftover
cube factor

3 24a4 ⫽ 冪
b. 冪 3 8a3
⭈ 3a Find largest cube factor.
⫽ 冪共2a兲 ⭈ 3a
3 3

⫽ 2a 冪3 3a Find root of perfect cube.

c. 冪⫺40x ⫽ 冪共⫺8x6兲 ⭈ 5
3 6 3 Find largest cube factor.
3 共⫺2x 2兲3
⫽冪 ⭈5
⫽ ⫺2x 2 冪
3
5 Find root of perfect cube.

Now try Exercise 79(b).

 Appendix A.2 Exponents and Radicals A21

Radical expressions can be combined (added or subtracted) if they are like

radicals—that is, if they have the same index and radicand. For instance, 冪2, 3冪2,
and 12冪2 are like radicals, but 冪3 and 冪2 are unlike radicals. To determine whether
two radicals can be combined, you should first simplify each radical.

Example 12 Combining Radicals

a. 2冪48 ⫺ 3冪27 ⫽ 2冪16 ⭈ 3 ⫺ 3冪9 ⭈ 3 Find square factors.

Find square roots and
⫽ 8冪3 ⫺ 9冪3 multiply by coefficients.

⫽ 共8 ⫺ 9兲冪3 Combine like terms.

⫽ ⫺ 冪3 Simplify.
b. 冪
3 16x ⫺ 冪
3 54x 4 ⫽ 冪⭈ 2x ⫺
3 8 冪
3 27
⭈ x3 ⭈ 2x Find cube factors.
⫽ 2 2x ⫺ 3x冪
冪3 3 2x Find cube roots.
⫽ 共2 ⫺ 3x兲 冪
3 2x Combine like terms.

Now try Exercise 87.

Rationalizing Denominators and Numerators

To rationalize a denominator or numerator of the form a ⫺ b冪m or a ⫹ b冪m,
multiply both numerator and denominator by a conjugate: a ⫹ b冪m and a ⫺ b冪m
are conjugates of each other. If a ⫽ 0, then the rationalizing factor for 冪m is itself,
冪m. For cube roots, choose a rationalizing factor that generates a perfect cube.

Example 13 Rationalizing Single-Term Denominators

Rationalize the denominator of each expression.

5 2
a. b. 3
冪
2 3 冪 5

Solution
5 5 冪3
a. ⫽ ⭈冪 冪3 is rationalizing factor.
2冪3 2冪3 3
5冪3
⫽ Multiply.
2共3兲
5冪3
⫽ Simplify.
6
2 2 冪 3 52
b.
冪
⫽ ⭈ 冪
3
52 is rationalizing factor.
3
5 冪 3
5 冪 3 2
5
2冪 3 52
⫽ 3 3 Multiply.
冪5
2冪 3 25
⫽ Simplify.
5
Now try Exercise 95.
A22 Appendix A Review of Fundamental Concepts of Algebra

Example 14 Rationalizing a Denominator with Two Terms

Multiply numerator and
2 2 3 ⫺ 冪7
⫽
3 ⫹ 冪7 3 ⫹ 冪7
⭈ 3 ⫺ 冪7 denominator by conjugate
of denominator.

2共3 ⫺ 冪7 兲
⫽ Use Distributive Property.
3共3兲 ⫹ 3共⫺冪7 兲 ⫹ 冪7共3兲 ⫺ 共冪7 兲共冪7 兲
2共3 ⫺ 冪7 兲
⫽
共3兲2 ⫺ 共冪7 兲2
Simplify.

2共3 ⫺ 冪7 兲 Square terms of

⫽ denominator.
9⫺7
2共3 ⫺ 冪7 兲
⫽ ⫽ 3 ⫺ 冪7 Simplify.
2
Now try Exercise 97.

Sometimes it is necessary to rationalize the numerator of an expression. For

instance, in Appendix A.4 you will use the technique shown in the next example to
rationalize the numerator of an expression from calculus.
WARNING / CAUTION
Example 15 Rationalizing a Numerator
Do not confuse the expression
冪5 ⫹ 冪7 with the expression
冪5 ⫺ 冪7 冪5 ⫺ 冪7 冪5 ⫹ 冪7 Multiply numerator and
冪5 ⫹ 7. In general, 冪x ⫹ y
2
⫽
2
⭈ 冪5 ⫹ 冪7 denominator by conjugate
of numerator.
does not equal 冪x ⫹ 冪y.
Similarly, 冪x 2 ⫹ y 2 does not 共冪5 兲2 ⫺ 共冪7 兲2
equal x ⫹ y. ⫽
2共冪5 ⫹ 冪7兲
Simplify.

5⫺7
⫽ Square terms of numerator.
2共冪5 ⫹ 冪7 兲
⫺2 ⫺1
⫽ ⫽ Simplify.
2共冪5 ⫹ 冪7 兲 冪5 ⫹ 冪7
Now try Exercise 101.

Rational Exponents

Definition of Rational Exponents

If a is a real number and n is a positive integer such that the principal nth root of
a exists, then a1兾n is defined as
a1兾n ⫽ 冪
n
a, where 1兾n is the rational exponent of a.
Moreover, if m is a positive integer that has no common factor with n, then
a m兾n ⫽ 共a1兾n兲m ⫽ 共冪 兲 m
n a and a m兾n ⫽ 共a m兲1兾n ⫽ 冪
n a m.

The symbol indicates an example or exercise that highlights algebraic techniques specifically
used in calculus.
 Appendix A.2 Exponents and Radicals A23

The numerator of a rational exponent denotes the power to which the base is raised,
WARNING / CAUTION and the denominator denotes the index or the root to be taken.
Rational exponents can be Power
tricky, and you must remember Index
that the expression bm兾n is not
b m兾n ⫽ 共冪 兲 ⫽冪
m
defined unless 冪 n b is a real n b n bm

number. This restriction

When you are working with rational exponents, the properties of integer exponents
produces some unusual-looking
still apply. For instance, 21兾221兾3 ⫽ 2(1兾2)⫹(1兾3) ⫽ 25兾6.
results. For instance, the number
共⫺8兲1兾3 is defined because
冪
3
⫺8 ⫽ ⫺2, but the number Example 16 Changing From Radical to Exponential Form
共⫺8兲2兾6 is undefined because
6 ⫺8 is not a real number.
冪 a. 冪3 ⫽ 31兾2
b. 冪共3xy兲5 ⫽ 冪
2 共3xy兲5 ⫽ 共3xy兲5兾2

4 x3 ⫽ 共2x兲共x3兾4兲 ⫽ 2x1⫹(3兾4) ⫽ 2x7兾4

c. 2x 冪
Now try Exercise 103.

Example 17 Changing From Exponential to Radical Form

T E C H N O LO G Y
a. 共x 2 ⫹ y 2兲3兾2 ⫽ 共冪x 2 ⫹ y 2 兲 ⫽ 冪共x 2 ⫹ y 2兲3
3

There are four methods of evalu-

ating radicals on most graphing b. 2y3兾4z1兾4 ⫽ 2共 y3z兲1兾4 ⫽ 2 冪
4 y3z

calculators. For square roots, you 1 1

can use the square root key 冪 . c. a⫺3兾2 ⫽ ⫽
a3兾2 冪a3
For cube roots, you can use the
cube root key 冪3 . For other d. x 0.2 ⫽ x1兾5 ⫽ 冪
5 x

roots, you can first convert the Now try Exercise 105.
radical to exponential form and
then use the exponential key ,
>

Rational exponents are useful for evaluating roots of numbers on a calculator, for
or you can use the xth root key reducing the index of a radical, and for simplifying expressions in calculus.
x
冪 (or menu choice). Consult
the user’s guide for your calculator
for specific keystrokes. Example 18 Simplifying with Rational Exponents

1 1
a. 共⫺32兲⫺4兾5 ⫽ 共冪 兲 ⫺4
5 ⫺32 ⫽ 共⫺2兲⫺4 ⫽ ⫽
共⫺2兲4 16
b. 共⫺5x5兾3兲共3x⫺3兾4兲 ⫽ ⫺15x(5兾3)⫺(3兾4) ⫽ ⫺15x11兾12, x⫽0
9 a3 ⫽ a3兾9 ⫽ a1兾3 ⫽ 冪
c. 冪 3 a Reduce index.

d. 冪
3 冪
125 ⫽ 冪
6
125 ⫽ 冪
6
共5兲3 ⫽ 53兾6 ⫽ 51兾2 ⫽ 冪5
e. 共2x ⫺ 1兲4兾3共2x ⫺ 1兲⫺1兾3 ⫽ 共2x ⫺ 1兲(4兾3)⫺(1兾3)
1
⫽ 2x ⫺ 1, x⫽
2
Now try Exercise 115.
1
The expression in Example 18(e) is not defined when x ⫽ because
2

冢2 ⭈ 12 ⫺ 1冣
⫺1兾3
⫽ 共0兲⫺1兾3

is not a real number.

A24 Appendix A Review of Fundamental Concepts of Algebra

A.2 EXERCISES See www.CalcChat.com for worked-out solutions to odd-numbered exercises.

VOCABULARY: Fill in the blanks.
1. In the exponential form an, n is the ________ and a is the ________.
2. A convenient way of writing very large or very small numbers is called ________ ________.
3. One of the two equal factors of a number is called a __________ __________ of the number.
4. The ________ ________ ________ of a number a is the nth root that has the same sign as a, and is denoted by 冪 n
a.
5. 冪
n
In the radical form a, the positive integer n is called the ________ of the radical and the number a is called the
________.
6. When an expression involving radicals has all possible factors removed, radical-free denominators, and a reduced index,
it is in ________ ________.
7. Radical expressions can be combined (added or subtracted) if they are ________ ________.
8. The expressions a ⫹ b冪m and a ⫺ b冪m are ________ of each other.
9. The process used to create a radical-free denominator is known as ________ the denominator.
10. In the expression bm兾n, m denotes the ________ to which the base is raised and n denotes the ________ or root to be taken.

SKILLS AND APPLICATIONS

In Exercises 11–18, evaluate each expression. In Exercises 31–38, simplify each expression.
11. (a) 32 ⭈ 3 (b) 3 ⭈ 33 31. (a) 共⫺5z兲3 (b) 5x4共x2兲
55 32 32. (a) 共3x兲2 (b) 共4x 3兲0, x ⫽ 0
12. (a) 2 (b) 4
5 3 3x 5
33. (a) 6y 2共2y0兲2 (b) 3
13. (a) 共33兲0 (b) ⫺32 x
14. (a) 共23 ⭈ 32兲2 (b) 共⫺ 35 兲 共53 兲
3 2
25y8
34. (a) 共⫺z兲3共3z4兲 (b)
3 10y4
15. (a) (b) 48共⫺4)⫺3
3⫺4 7x 2 12共x ⫹ y兲3
35. (a) (b)
4 ⭈ 3⫺2 x3 9共x ⫹ y兲
16. (a) (b) 共⫺2兲0
2⫺2 ⭈ 3⫺1
冢 冣冢 冣
r4 4 3 3 4
36. (a) 6 (b)
17. (a) 2⫺1 ⫹ 3⫺1 (b) 共2⫺1兲⫺2 r y y
(b) 共3⫺2兲2 ⫺2
(b) 冢 冣冢 a冣
18. (a) 3⫺1 ⫹ 2⫺2 a b 3
37. (a) 关共x2y⫺2兲⫺1兴⫺1 ⫺2
b
In Exercises 19 –22, use a calculator to evaluate the 38. (a) 共6x7兲0, x⫽0 (b) 共5x2z6兲3共5x2z6兲⫺3
expression. (If necessary, round your answer to three decimal
places.) In Exercises 39–44, rewrite each expression with positive
19. 共⫺4兲3共52兲 20. 共8⫺4兲共103兲 exponents and simplify.
36 43 39. (a) 共x ⫹ 5兲0, x ⫽ ⫺5 (b) 共2x 2兲⫺2
21. 3 22.
7 3⫺4 40. (a) 共2x5兲0, x ⫽ 0 (b) 共z ⫹ 2兲⫺3共z ⫹ 2兲⫺1

冢10冣
x ⫺1
In Exercises 23–30, evaluate the expression for the given 41. (a) 共⫺2x 2兲3共4x3兲⫺1 (b)
value of x.
⫺3 4 ⫺3
(b) 冢
5 冣
x y
23. ⫺3x 3, x ⫽ 2 24. 7x⫺2, x ⫽ 4 42. (a) 共4y⫺2兲共8y4兲
25. 6x 0, x ⫽ 10 26. 5共⫺x兲3, x ⫽ 3 ⫺2
(b) 冢 冣冢 a冣
a b 3
27. 2x 3, x ⫽ ⫺3 28. ⫺3x 4, x ⫽ ⫺2 43. (a) 3n ⭈ 32n b ⫺2

29. ⫺20x2, x ⫽ ⫺ 12 30. 12共⫺x兲3, x ⫽ ⫺ 13

⭈ (b) 冢
⫺3

冣冢 b冣
x2 xn a a 3
44. (a)
x ⭈ xn
3 b ⫺3
 Appendix A.2 Exponents and Radicals A25

In Exercises 45–52, write the number in scientific notation. In Exercises 71–76, use a calculator to approximate the
number. (Round your answer to three decimal places.)
45. 10,250.4 46. ⫺7,280,000
71. (a) 冪57 (b) 冪5 ⫺273
47. ⫺0.000125 48. 0.00052
49. Land area of Earth: 57,300,000 square miles 72. (a) 冪3 452 (b) 冪6
125
(b) 共5冪3兲
⫺2.5
50. Light year: 9,460,000,000,000 kilometers 73. (a) 共⫺12.4兲⫺1.8
7 ⫺ 共4.1兲⫺3.2 ⫺3兾2
冢133冣 冢 23冣
13兾3
51. Relative density of hydrogen: 0.0000899 gram per 74. (a) (b) ⫺ ⫺
cubic centimeter 2
52. One micron (millionth of a meter): 0.00003937 inch 75. (a) 冪4.5 ⫻ 109 (b) 冪
3
6.3 ⫻ 104
76. (a) 共2.65 ⫻ 10⫺4兲1兾3 (b) 冪9 ⫻ 10⫺4
In Exercises 53– 60, write the number in decimal notation.
53. 1.25 ⫻ 105 54. ⫺1.801 ⫻ 105 In Exercises 77 and 78, use the properties of radicals to
simplify each expression.
55. ⫺2.718 ⫻ 10⫺3 56. 3.14 ⫻ 10⫺4
57. Interior temperature of the sun: 1.5 ⫻ 107 degrees 77. (a) 共冪 兲
5 2 5 (b) 冪
5 96x5

Celsius 78. (a) 冪12 ⭈ 冪3 4 共3x2兲4

(b) 冪
58. Charge of an electron: 1.6022 ⫻ 10⫺19 coulomb
In Exercises 79–90, simplify each radical expression.
59. Width of a human hair: 9.0 ⫻ 10⫺5 meter
60. Gross domestic product of the United States in 2007: 79. (a) 冪20 (b) 冪
3 128

1.3743021 ⫻ 1013 dollars (Source: U.S. Department 80. (a) 冪

3 16
27 (b) 冪754

冪18z
of Commerce) 2
81. (a) 冪72x3 (b) 3
In Exercises 61 and 62, evaluate each expression without
(b) 冪
4
using a calculator. 32a
82. (a) 冪54xy4 2
b
61. (a) 共2.0 ⫻ 109兲共3.4 ⫻ 10⫺4兲
83. (a) 冪
3 16x5 (b) 冪75x2y⫺4
(b) 共1.2 ⫻ 107兲共5.0 ⫻ 10⫺3兲
84. (a) 冪
4 3x 4 y 2 (b) 冪
5 160x 8z 4
6.0 ⫻ 108 2.5 ⫻ 10⫺3
62. (a) (b) 85. (a) 2冪50 ⫹ 12冪8 (b) 10冪32 ⫺ 6冪18
3.0 ⫻ 10⫺3 5.0 ⫻ 102
86. (a) 4冪27 ⫺ 冪75 (b) 3 16 ⫹ 3冪
冪 3 54

In Exercises 63 and 64, use a calculator to evaluate each 87. (a) 5冪x ⫺ 3冪x (b) ⫺2冪9y ⫹ 10冪y
expression. (Round your answer to three decimal places.) 88. (a) 8冪49x ⫺ 14冪100x
⫺3冪48x 2 ⫹ 7冪 75x 2
冢 冣
0.11 800 (b)
63. (a) 750 1 ⫹
365 89. (a) 3冪x ⫹ 1 ⫹ 10冪x ⫹ 1
67,000,000 ⫹ 93,000,000 (b) 7冪80x ⫺ 2冪125x
(b)
0.0052 90. (a) ⫺ 冪x 3 ⫺ 7 ⫹ 5冪x 3 ⫺ 7
共2.414 ⫻ 104兲6 (b) 11冪245x 3 ⫺ 9冪45x 3
64. (a) 共9.3 ⫻ 106兲3共6.1 ⫻ 10⫺4兲 (b)
共1.68 ⫻ 105兲5
In Exercises 91–94, complete the statement with <, ⫽, or >.
In Exercises 65–70, evaluate each expression without using a
calculator. 91. 冪5 ⫹ 冪3 䊏冪5 ⫹ 3 92. 冪113 䊏 冪3
冪11
65. (a) 冪9 (b) 冪3 27
8 93. 5䊏冪32 ⫹ 22 94. 5䊏冪32 ⫹ 42
66. (a) 271兾3 (b) 363兾2
(b) 共16
81 兲
⫺3兾4 In Exercises 95–98, rationalize the denominator of the
67. (a) 32⫺3兾5
(b) 共94 兲
⫺1兾2 expression. Then simplify your answer.
68. (a) 100⫺3兾2
1 8
冢⫺ 64冣 冢冪32冣
1 ⫺1兾3 1 ⫺2兾5
69. (a) (b) 95. 96.
冪3 3
冪 2
5 3
70. (a) 冢⫺
27 冣
(b) ⫺ 冢
125 冣
125 ⫺1兾3 1 ⫺4兾3
97. 98.
冪14 ⫺ 2 冪5 ⫹ 冪6
A26 Appendix A Review of Fundamental Concepts of Algebra

In Exercises 99 –102, rationalize the numerator of the 121. MATHEMATICAL MODELING A funnel is filled
expression. Then simplify your answer. with water to a height of h centimeters. The formula
冪8 冪2 t ⫽ 0.03关125兾2 ⫺ 共12 ⫺ h兲5兾2兴, 0 ⱕ h ⱕ 12
99. 100.
2 3 represents the amount of time t (in seconds) that it will
冪5 ⫹ 冪3 冪7 ⫺ 3 take for the funnel to empty.
101. 102.
3 4 (a) Use the table feature of a graphing utility to find
the times required for the funnel to empty for
In Exercises 103 –110, fill in the missing form of the water heights of h ⫽ 0, h ⫽ 1, h ⫽ 2, . . . h ⫽ 12
expression. centimeters.
Radical Form Rational Exponent Form (b) What value does t appear to be approaching as the
103. 冪2.5 䊏 height of the water becomes closer and closer to
12 centimeters?
104. 冪3 64
䊏 122. SPEED OF LIGHT The speed of light is approximately
105.䊏 811兾4 11,180,000 miles per minute. The distance from the
106.䊏 ⫺ 共1441兾2兲 sun to Earth is approximately 93,000,000 miles. Find
107. 冪3 ⫺216
䊏 the time for light to travel from the sun to Earth.
108.䊏 共⫺243兲1兾5
EXPLORATION
109. 共冪 兲
4 81 3
䊏
110.䊏 165兾4 TRUE OR FALSE? In Exercises 123 and 124, determine
whether the statement is true or false. Justify your answer.
In Exercises 111–114, perform the operations and simplify.
x k⫹1
⫽ xk 124. 共a n兲 k ⫽ a n
k
共2x2兲3兾2 x 4兾3y 2兾3 123.
111. 1兾2 4 112. x
2 x 共xy兲1兾3
x⫺3 ⭈ x1兾2 5⫺1兾2 ⭈ 5x5兾2 125. Verify that a0 ⫽ 1, a ⫽ 0. (Hint: Use the property of
113. 3兾2 ⫺1 114. exponents am兾a n ⫽ am⫺n.)
x ⭈x 共5x兲3兾2
126. Explain why each of the following pairs is not equal.
In Exercises 115 and 116, reduce the index of each radical. 3
(a) 共3x兲⫺1 ⫽
x
(b) y 3 ⭈ y2 ⫽ y6
115. (a) 冪
4 32 (b) 共x ⫹ 1兲
冪
6 4

116. (a) 冪
6 x3 4 共3x2兲4
(b) 冪 (c) 共a 2b 3兲4 ⫽ a6b7 (d) 共a ⫹ b兲2 ⫽ a 2 ⫹ b2
(e) 冪4x 2 ⫽ 2x (f) 冪2 ⫹ 冪3 ⫽ 冪5
In Exercises 117 and 118, write each expression as a single 127. THINK ABOUT IT Is 52.7 ⫻ 105 written in scientific
radical. Then simplify your answer. notation? Why or why not?
117. (a) 冪冪32 (b) 冪冪
4 2x 128. List all possible digits that occur in the units place
118. (a) 冪冪243共x ⫹ 1兲 (b) 冪冪
3 10a7b of the square of a positive integer. Use that list to deter-
mine whether 冪5233 is an integer.
119. PERIOD OF A PENDULUM The period T (in 129. THINK ABOUT IT Square the real number 5兾冪3
seconds) of a pendulum is T ⫽ 2␲冪L兾32, where L is and note that the radical is eliminated from the
the length of the pendulum (in feet). Find the period of denominator. Is this equivalent to rationalizing the
a pendulum whose length is 2 feet. denominator? Why or why not?
120. EROSION A stream of water moving at the rate of v feet
per second can carry particles of size 0.03冪v inches. 130. CAPSTONE
Find the size of the largest particle that can be carried
(a) Explain how to simplify the expression 共3x3 y⫺2兲⫺2.
by a stream flowing at the rate of 34 foot per second.

The symbol indicates an example or exercise that highlights (b) Is the expression 冪x4 in simplest form? Why
3

algebraic techniques specifically used in calculus. or why not?

The symbol indicates an exercise or a part of an exercise in which
you are instructed to use a graphing utility.