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Rational Exponents

Definition of

If a represents a real number and n≥2 is an integer, then

If n is odd and

• a is positive, then is positive.
• a is negative, then is negative.
• a is zero, then is zero.

If n is even and

• a is positive, then is positive.
• a is negative, then is not a real number
• a is zero, then is also zero.

Example 1: Use radical notation to rewrite each expression.
Simplify, if possible.

Example 2: Rewrite each expression using rational exponents.

Definition of

If represents a real number and is a positive rational number,
n≥2, then

Note that if n is even and a is negative,does not represent a real
number and is not a real number.

Example 3: Use radical notation to rewrite each of the following
and then simplify.

Example 4: Rewrite with rational exponents.

Definition of

If is a nonzero real number, then

Example 5: Rewrite each of the following with a positive
exponent. Simplify, if possible. Assume all variables represent
nonnegative quantities.

Properties of Rational Exponents

If m and n are rational exponents, and a and b are real numbers for
which the following expressions are defined, then

Example 6: Simplify the following expressions with rational
exponents. Express all answers with positive exponents.
Assume all variables represent nonnegative quantities.

Simplifying Radical Expressions Using Rational Exponents

To simplify a radical expression by using rational exponents:
1. Rewrite each radical expression as an exponential
expression with a rational exponent.
2. Simplify using properties of rational exponents.
3. Rewrite your answer in radical notation when rational
exponents still appear.

Example 7: Use rational exponents to simplify. Assume all
variables represent nonnegative quantities.

Application of Rational Exponents

Example 8: The function models the number of
calories per day, f(x), that a person needs to maintain life in
terms of that person’s weight, x, in kilograms. (1 kilogram is
approximately 2.2 pounds.) Use the model and a calculator to
find how many calories per day are required to maintain life for
a person who weighs 55 kilograms (about 121 pounds). Round
your answer to the nearest calorie.

Example 9: Use your calculator to evaluate the following to
three decimal places.

Answers Section 10.2

Example 1:

Example 2:

Example 3:
a. 64
b. 4
c. Not a real number
d. −8

Example 4:

Example 5:

Example 6:

Example 7:

Example 8:
a. x = 55 kg., f(55) 1414 calories

Example 9:
a. 3.911
b. 75.421
c. 20.983