Algebra: Unleashing Radical Powers

Unleashing Radical Powers

Radicals can actually be expressed without a radical sign by means of fractional exponents. The expression a^1/2 (read "a to the one-half power") is equivalent to ˆša, and b^1/3 means the same thing as

However, the fractional exponent does not always have a 1 as its numerator; you can use other numbers to create more complicated radical expressions.

In general, the expression x^a/b is equivalent to both

even though they look different, both mean the exact same thing, so it doesn't matter which one you choose. However, you'll usually find that the first one is more useful when simplifying variable expressions and the second is much handier for numbers.

Example 2: Simplify the expressions.

• (a) 64^2/3
• Solution: Rewrite 64^2/3 as

• The order of operations tells you to simplify parentheses first, and since the radical has an index of 3, you're looking for perfect cubes. Luckily, 64 = 4³, and therefore

• Since 4 has a power of 3 within a radical of index 3, it is paroled, and you'll get 4² = 16. So, 64^2/3 = 16.
• If you had rewritten 64^2/3 as

• the answer is still 16; it's just harder to see that 4096 is a perfect cube (16³ = 4096).
• (b) 4^5/3
• Solution: Rewrite the expression as

• Happily, 4 is a perfect square: 2² = 4.

Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Algebra © 2004 by W. Michael Kelley. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

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