Convert Between

Radical and Rational

Form

Objective
I will rewrite radical expressions by using
rational exponents.
 R.5 Review of Radicals

Radical Notation for a1/n

If a is a real number, n is a positive integer, and a1/n is
a real number, then
n
a a 1/ n
.
 R.5 Review of Radicals

n
In the expression a

• n
is called a radical sign,

• a is called the radicand,

• n is called the index.

 R.5 Review of Radicals

Radical Notation for am/n

If a is a real number, m is an integer, n is a positive
integer, and n a is a real number, then

 
m
a m/n
 n
a  n am .
 R.5 Converting from Rational Exponents
to Radicals
Example Write in radical form.

(a) 82 / 3 (b) (32) 4 / 5 (c) 3x 2 / 3

 R.5 Converting from Rational Exponents
to Radicals
Example Write in radical form.

(a) 82 / 3 (b) (32) 4 / 5 (c) 3x 2 / 3

Solution

 8
2
(a) 8 2/3
 3
2 4
2

(b) (32)   
4
4/5 5
32  (2)4  16

(c) 3x 2/3
3 x 3 2
 R.5 Converting from Radicals to Rational
Exponents
Example Write in exponential form.

 z
2
(a) 4
x 5
( x  0) (b) 10 5
(c) 5 3 (2 x 4 )7
 R.5 Converting from Radicals to Rational
Exponents
Example Write in exponential form.

 z
2
(a) 4
x 5
( x  0) (b) 10 5
(c) 5 3 (2 x 4 )7

Solution

 z
2
(a) 4
x x 5 5/ 4
( x  0) (b) 10 5
 10 z 2/5

(c) 5 3 (2 x 4 )7  5(2 x 4 )7 / 3  5  27 / 3 x 28/ 3

 R.5 Review of Radicals

Rules for Radicals

For all real numbers a and b, and positive integers m and
n for which the indicated roots are real numbers,

a na
n
a  n b  n ab n  n (b  0) m n
a  mn a .
b b
 R.5 Using the Rules for Radicals to
Simplify Radical Expressions
Example Simplify each expression.
7
(a) 6  54 (b) 3
m m
3 2
(c)
64
 R.5 Using the Rules for Radicals to
Simplify Radical Expressions
Example Simplify each expression.
7
(a) 6  54 (b) 3
m m
3 2
(c)
64
Solution

(a) 6  54  6  54  324  18

(b) 3
m  3 m 2  3 m3  m

(c) 7 7 7
 
64 64 8
 R.5 Simplifying Radicals by Writing
Them with Rational Exponents
Example Simplify each radical.

(a) 6 2
3 (b) 6
x12 y 3 ( y  0)
 R.5 Simplifying Radicals by Writing
Them with Rational Exponents
Example Simplify each radical.

(a) 6 2
3 (b) 6
x12 y 3 ( y  0)

Solution

(a) 6
32  32/6  31/3

(b) 6
x12 y 3  ( x12 y 3 )1/6  x 2 y 3/6  x 2 y1/2 ( y  0)
 EXIT TICKET
Change to Rational Form

6
3x 4

HOMEWORK
Convert Between Radical and Rational Exponents
WS (1-12)