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Solving Two-Step Equations Algebraically
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Solving Quadratic Equations
Power Functions and Transformations
Composition of Functions
Rational Inequalities
Equations of Lines
Graphing Logarithmic Functions
Elimination Using Multiplication
Multiplying Large Numbers
Multiplying by 11
Graphing Absolute Value Inequalities
Polynomials
The Discriminant
Reducing Numerical Fractions to Simplest Form
Addition of Algebraic Fractions
Graphing Inequalities in Two Variables
Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with Unlike Denominators
Multiplying Binomials
Graphing Linear Inequalities
Properties of Numbers and Definitions
Factoring Trinomials
Relatively Prime Numbers
Point
Inequalities
Rotating a Hyperbola
Writing Algebraic Expressions
Quadratic and Power Inequalities
Solving Quadratic Equations by Completing the Square
BEDMAS & Fractions
Solving Absolute Value Equations
Writing Linear Equations in Slope-Intercept Form
Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with Different Denominators
Reducing Rational Expressions
Solving Absolute Value Equations
Equations of a Line - Slope-intercept form
Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions with Unlike Denominators
Solving Equations with a Fractional Exponent
Simple Trinomials as Products of Binomials
Equivalent Fractions
Multiplying Polynomials
Slope
Graphing Equations in Three Variables
Properties of Exponents
Graphing Linear Inequalities
Solving Cubic Equations by Factoring
Adding and Subtracting Fractions
Multiplying Whole Numbers
Straight Lines
Solving Absolute Value Equations
Solving Nonlinear Equations
Factoring Polynomials by Finding the Greatest Common Factor
Logarithms
Algebraic Expressions Containing Radicals 1
Addition Property of Equality
Three special types of lines
Quadratic Inequalities That Cannot Be Factored
Adding and Subtracting Fractions
Coordinate System
Solving Equations
Factoring Polynomials
Solving Quadratic Equations
Multiplying Radical Expressions
Solving Quadratic Equations Using the Square Root Property
The Slope of a Line
Square Roots
Adding Polynomials
Arithmetic with Positive and Negative Numbers
Solving Equations
Powers and Roots of Complex Numbers
Adding, Subtracting and Finding Least Common Denominators
What the Factored Form of a Quadratic can tell you about the graph
Plotting a Point
Solving Equations with Variables on Each Side
Finding the GCF of a Set of Monomials
Completing the Square
Solving Equations with Radicals and Exponents
Solving Systems of Equations By Substitution
Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions
Percents
Laws of Exponents and Dividing Monomials
Factoring Special Quadratic Polynomials
Radicals
Solving Quadratic Equations by Completing the Square
Reducing Numerical Fractions to Simplest Form
Factoring Trinomials
Writing Decimals as Fractions
Using the Rules of Exponents
Evaluating the Quadratic Formula
Rationalizing the Denominator
Multiplication by 429
Writing Linear Equations in Point-Slope Form
Multiplying Radicals
Dividing Polynomials by Monomials
Factoring Trinomials
Introduction to Fractions
Square Roots
   
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Using the Rules of Exponents

All of the rules for exponents hold for rational exponents as well as integral exponents. Of course, we cannot apply the rules of exponents to expressions that are not real numbers.

 

Rules for Rational Exponents

The following rules hold for any nonzero real numbers a and b and rational numbers r and s for which the expressions represent real numbers.

1. aras = ar+s  Product rule
2. Quotient rule
3. (ar)s = ars Power of a power rule
4. (ab)r = arbr Power of a product rule
5. Power of a quotient rule

We can use the product rule to add rational exponents. For example, 161/4 · 161/4 = 162/4.

The fourth root of 16 is 2, and 2 squared is 4. So 162/4 = 4. Because we also have 161/2 = 4, we see that a rational exponent can be reduced to its lowest terms. If an exponent can be reduced, it is usually simpler to reduce the exponent before we evaluate the expression. We can simplify 161/4 · 161/4 as follows:

161/4 · 161/4 = 162/4 = 161/2 = 4

 

Example 1

Using the product and quotient rules with rational exponents

Simplify each expression.

a) 271/6 · 271/2

b)

Solution

a) 271/6 · 271/2 = 271/6 + 1/2 Product rule for exponents
  = 272/3  
  = 9  
b) = 53/4-1/4 = 52/4 = 51/2 We used the quotient rule to subtract the exponents.

 

Example 2

Using the power rules with rational exponents

Simplify each expression.

a) 31/2 · 121/2

b) (310)1/2

c)

Solution

a) Because the bases 3 and 12 are different, we cannot use the product rule to add the exponents. Instead, we use the power of a product rule to place the 1/2 power outside the parentheses:

31/2 · 121/2 = (3 · 12)1/2 = 361/2 = 6

b) Use the power of a power rule to multiply the exponents:

(310)1/2 = 35

Power of a quotient rule
  Power of a power rule
  Definition of negative exponent
   
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