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College Algebra with Corequisite Support

1.3 Radicals and Rational Exponents

College Algebra with Corequisite Support1.3 Radicals and Rational Exponents

Learning Objectives

In this section, you will:

  • Evaluate square roots.
  • Use the product rule to simplify square roots.
  • Use the quotient rule to simplify square roots.
  • Add and subtract square roots.
  • Rationalize denominators.
  • Use rational roots.

Corequisite Skills

Learning Objective:

  • Investigate the discipline called learning science and the idea of a knowledge space.

Objective 1: Investigate the discipline called learning science and the idea of a knowledge space.

The brain is a complex organ. It is the control center for our bodies, while the mind is where thinking and learning take place. In an attempt to understand the processes that occur in learning, researchers study a collection of disciplines called learning sciences. This interdisciplinary field includes study of psychological, sociological, anthropological, and computational approaches to learning.

In this skill sheet we will investigate the mathematics of mastery and knowledge spaces. A knowledge space includes the possible states of knowledge of a human learner. The theory of knowledge space was introduced in 1985 by mathematical psychologists Jean-Paul Doignon and Jean-Claude Falmagne and has since been studied by many researchers. 1

Practice Makes Perfect

Investigation: There are 32 student-learning outcomes (SLO’s) in a typical College Algebra course. These are topics a student needs to master to show proficiency in College Algebra. Let’s begin by looking at just a few of these skills. Let’s assign the variables, A, B, C, and D to the following topics. We will name the set containing each of these 4 topics, Q.

  • A = Graph the basic functions listed in the library of functions.
  • B = Find the domain of a function defined by an equation.
  • C = Create a new function through composition of functions.
  • D = Find linear functions that model data sets.

Using roster notation Q = {A, B, C, D}.

1.

List each of the possible subsets of the 4 topics listed above using roster notation. Remember a subset is a collection of topics in which each topic listed is an element of the set Q we defined above. By including a topic, we are indicating that the student has mastered the topic.

2.

Verify in your work above you have listed all 16 subsets to set Q. Remember that a subset may contain all of the topics listed in Q.

3.

What formula could you use to help you determine the number of possible subsets? Remember that each topic could be mastered or not by a student. Show below that your formula would be equal to 16 for a list of 4 topics.

4.

Now use the formula you found in #3 to find the number of subsets possible if we include all 32 student-learning outcomes.

Hint: In evaluating exponential terms, the function values increase very rapidly. To display very large (or very small) values, a calculator will use scientific notation. For example: 2.56 E6 is telling you to move the decimal point 6 places to the right and to insert zeros where you have missing values.

For example: 2.56 E6 = 2,560,000 or 2 million, five hundred, sixty thousand.

5.

The subsets you created in #1 are referred to as knowledge spaces in the field of learning science. In this context mastery of one concept may depend on your mastery of another.

List one skill in mathematics that would help to master each of the following SLO’s:

  • A = Graph the basic functions listed in the library of functions.
  • B = Find the domain of a function defined by an equation.
  • C = Create a new function through composition of functions.
  • D = Find linear functions that model data sets.
6.

Mastery of what are called linchpin topics will make it easier to learn other topics. For example, the ability to solve linear equations with variables on both sides can “unlock” a whole set of new skills for a student to master.

List 3 other linchpin topics that would help you to master this math course. Discuss these with others in your class. Did they identify the same topics?

7.

A corequisite course in mathematics is designed to provide support to a student by reviewing linchpin topics right when and where students need the help. Review of these important foundational ideas allow the learner to move on and master the student learning objectives for the course.

Brainstorm ideas with your classmates about ways this corequisite support course could help you in your learning.

A hardware store sells 16-ft ladders and 24-ft ladders. A window is located 12 feet above the ground. A ladder needs to be purchased that will reach the window from a point on the ground 5 feet from the building. To find out the length of ladder needed, we can draw a right triangle as shown in Figure 1, and use the Pythagorean Theorem.

A right triangle with a base of 5 feet, a height of 12 feet, and a hypotenuse labeled c
Figure 1
a 2 + b 2 = c 2 5 2 + 12 2 = c 2 169 = c 2 a 2 + b 2 = c 2 5 2 + 12 2 = c 2 169 = c 2

Now, we need to find out the length that, when squared, is 169, to determine which ladder to choose. In other words, we need to find a square root. In this section, we will investigate methods of finding solutions to problems such as this one.

Evaluating Square Roots

When the square root of a number is squared, the result is the original number. Since 4 2 =16, 4 2 =16, the square root of 16 16 is 4. 4. The square root function is the inverse of the squaring function just as subtraction is the inverse of addition. To undo squaring, we take the square root.

In general terms, if a a is a positive real number, then the square root of a a is a number that, when multiplied by itself, gives a. a. The square root could be positive or negative because multiplying two negative numbers gives a positive number. The principal square root is the nonnegative number that when multiplied by itself equals a. a. The square root obtained using a calculator is the principal square root.

The principal square root of a a is written as a . a . The symbol is called a radical, the term under the symbol is called the radicand, and the entire expression is called a radical expression.

The expression: square root of twenty-five is enclosed in a circle. The circle has an arrow pointing to it labeled: Radical expression. The square root symbol has an arrow pointing to it labeled: Radical. The number twenty-five has an arrow pointing to it labeled: Radicand.

Principal Square Root

The principal square root of a a is the nonnegative number that, when multiplied by itself, equals a. a. It is written as a radical expression, with a symbol called a radical over the term called the radicand: a . a .

Q&A

Does 25 =±5? 25 =±5?

No. Although both 5 2 5 2 and (−5) 2 (−5) 2 are 25, 25, the radical symbol implies only a nonnegative root, the principal square root. The principal square root of 25 is 25 =5. 25 =5.

Example 1

Evaluating Square Roots

Evaluate each expression.

  1. 100 100
  2. 16 16
  3. 25+144 25+144
  4. 49 81 49 81

Q&A

For 25+144 , 25+144 , can we find the square roots before adding?

No. 25 + 144 =5+12=17. 25 + 144 =5+12=17. This is not equivalent to 25+144 =13. 25+144 =13. The order of operations requires us to add the terms in the radicand before finding the square root.

Try It #1

Evaluate each expression.

  1. 225 225
  2. 81 81
  3. 259 259
  4. 36 + 121 36 + 121

Using the Product Rule to Simplify Square Roots

To simplify a square root, we rewrite it such that there are no perfect squares in the radicand. There are several properties of square roots that allow us to simplify complicated radical expressions. The first rule we will look at is the product rule for simplifying square roots, which allows us to separate the square root of a product of two numbers into the product of two separate rational expressions. For instance, we can rewrite 15 15 as 3 5 . 3 5 . We can also use the product rule to express the product of multiple radical expressions as a single radical expression.

The Product Rule for Simplifying Square Roots

If a a and b b are nonnegative, the square root of the product ab ab is equal to the product of the square roots of a a and b. b.

ab = a b ab = a b

How To

Given a square root radical expression, use the product rule to simplify it.

  1. Factor any perfect squares from the radicand.
  2. Write the radical expression as a product of radical expressions.
  3. Simplify.

Example 2

Using the Product Rule to Simplify Square Roots

Simplify the radical expression.

  1. 300 300
  2. 162 a 5 b 4 162 a 5 b 4

Try It #2

Simplify 50 x 2 y 3 z . 50 x 2 y 3 z .

How To

Given the product of multiple radical expressions, use the product rule to combine them into one radical expression.

  1. Express the product of multiple radical expressions as a single radical expression.
  2. Simplify.

Example 3

Using the Product Rule to Simplify the Product of Multiple Square Roots

Simplify the radical expression.
12 3 12 3

Try It #3

Simplify 50x 2x 50x 2x assuming x>0. x>0.

Using the Quotient Rule to Simplify Square Roots

Just as we can rewrite the square root of a product as a product of square roots, so too can we rewrite the square root of a quotient as a quotient of square roots, using the quotient rule for simplifying square roots. It can be helpful to separate the numerator and denominator of a fraction under a radical so that we can take their square roots separately. We can rewrite 5 2 5 2 as 5 2 . 5 2 .

The Quotient Rule for Simplifying Square Roots

The square root of the quotient a b a b is equal to the quotient of the square roots of a a and b, b, where b0. b0.

a b = a b a b = a b

How To

Given a radical expression, use the quotient rule to simplify it.

  1. Write the radical expression as the quotient of two radical expressions.
  2. Simplify the numerator and denominator.

Example 4

Using the Quotient Rule to Simplify Square Roots

Simplify the radical expression.

5 36 5 36

Try It #4

Simplify 2 x 2 9 y 4 . 2 x 2 9 y 4 .

Example 5

Using the Quotient Rule to Simplify an Expression with Two Square Roots

Simplify the radical expression.

234 x 11 y 26 x 7 y 234 x 11 y 26 x 7 y

Try It #5

Simplify 9 a 5 b 14 3 a 4 b 5 . 9 a 5 b 14 3 a 4 b 5 .

Adding and Subtracting Square Roots

We can add or subtract radical expressions only when they have the same radicand and when they have the same radical type such as square roots. For example, the sum of 2 2 and 3 2 3 2 is 4 2 . 4 2 . However, it is often possible to simplify radical expressions, and that may change the radicand. The radical expression 18 18 can be written with a 2 2 in the radicand, as 3 2 , 3 2 , so 2 + 18 = 2 +3 2 =4 2 . 2 + 18 = 2 +3 2 =4 2 .

How To

Given a radical expression requiring addition or subtraction of square roots, simplify.

  1. Simplify each radical expression.
  2. Add or subtract expressions with equal radicands.

Example 6

Adding Square Roots

Add 5 12 +2 3 . 5 12 +2 3 .

Try It #6

Add 5 +6 20 . 5 +6 20 .

Example 7

Subtracting Square Roots

Subtract 20 72 a 3 b 4 c 14 8 a 3 b 4 c . 20 72 a 3 b 4 c 14 8 a 3 b 4 c .

Try It #7

Subtract 3 80x 4 45x . 3 80x 4 45x .

Rationalizing Denominators

When an expression involving square root radicals is written in simplest form, it will not contain a radical in the denominator. We can remove radicals from the denominators of fractions using a process called rationalizing the denominator.

We know that multiplying by 1 does not change the value of an expression. We use this property of multiplication to change expressions that contain radicals in the denominator. To remove radicals from the denominators of fractions, multiply by the form of 1 that will eliminate the radical.

For a denominator containing a single term, multiply by the radical in the denominator over itself. In other words, if the denominator is b c , b c , multiply by c c . c c .

For a denominator containing the sum or difference of a rational and an irrational term, multiply the numerator and denominator by the conjugate of the denominator, which is found by changing the sign of the radical portion of the denominator. If the denominator is a+b c , a+b c , then the conjugate is ab c . ab c .

How To

Given an expression with a single square root radical term in the denominator, rationalize the denominator.

  1. Multiply the numerator and denominator by the radical in the denominator.
  2. Simplify.

Example 8

Rationalizing a Denominator Containing a Single Term

Write 2 3 3 10 2 3 3 10 in simplest form.

Try It #8

Write 12 3 2 12 3 2 in simplest form.

How To

Given an expression with a radical term and a constant in the denominator, rationalize the denominator.

  1. Find the conjugate of the denominator.
  2. Multiply the numerator and denominator by the conjugate.
  3. Use the distributive property.
  4. Simplify.

Example 9

Rationalizing a Denominator Containing Two Terms

Write 4 1+ 5 4 1+ 5 in simplest form.

Try It #9

Write 7 2+ 3 7 2+ 3 in simplest form.

Using Rational Roots

Although square roots are the most common rational roots, we can also find cube roots, 4th roots, 5th roots, and more. Just as the square root function is the inverse of the squaring function, these roots are the inverse of their respective power functions. These functions can be useful when we need to determine the number that, when raised to a certain power, gives a certain number.

Understanding nth Roots

Suppose we know that a 3 =8. a 3 =8. We want to find what number raised to the 3rd power is equal to 8. Since 2 3 =8, 2 3 =8, we say that 2 is the cube root of 8.

The nth root of a a is a number that, when raised to the nth power, gives a. a. For example, −3 −3 is the 5th root of −243 −243 because (−3) 5 =−243. (−3) 5 =−243. If a a is a real number with at least one nth root, then the principal nth root of a a is the number with the same sign as a a that, when raised to the nth power, equals a. a.

The principal nth root of a a is written as a n , a n , where n n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. In the radical expression, n n is called the index of the radical.

Principal n n th Root

If a a is a real number with at least one nth root, then the principal nth root of a, a, written as a n , a n , is the number with the same sign as a a that, when raised to the nth power, equals a. a. The index of the radical is n. n.

Example 10

Simplifying nth Roots

Simplify each of the following:

  1. −32 5 −32 5
  2. 4 4 1,024 4 4 4 1,024 4
  3. 8 x 6 125 3 8 x 6 125 3
  4. 8 3 4 48 4 8 3 4 48 4

Try It #10

Simplify.

  1. −216 3 −216 3
  2. 3 80 4 5 4 3 80 4 5 4
  3. 6 9,000 3 +7 576 3 6 9,000 3 +7 576 3

Using Rational Exponents

Radical expressions can also be written without using the radical symbol. We can use rational (fractional) exponents. The index must be a positive integer. If the index n n is even, then a a cannot be negative.

a 1 n = a n a 1 n = a n

We can also have rational exponents with numerators other than 1. In these cases, the exponent must be a fraction in lowest terms. We raise the base to a power and take an nth root. The numerator tells us the power and the denominator tells us the root.

a m n = ( a n ) m = a m n a m n = ( a n ) m = a m n

All of the properties of exponents that we learned for integer exponents also hold for rational exponents.

Rational Exponents

Rational exponents are another way to express principal nth roots. The general form for converting between a radical expression with a radical symbol and one with a rational exponent is

a m n = ( a n ) m = a m n a m n = ( a n ) m = a m n

How To

Given an expression with a rational exponent, write the expression as a radical.

  1. Determine the power by looking at the numerator of the exponent.
  2. Determine the root by looking at the denominator of the exponent.
  3. Using the base as the radicand, raise the radicand to the power and use the root as the index.

Example 11

Writing Rational Exponents as Radicals

Write 343 2 3 343 2 3 as a radical. Simplify.

Try It #11

Write 9 5 2 9 5 2 as a radical. Simplify.

Example 12

Writing Radicals as Rational Exponents

Write 4 a 2 7 4 a 2 7 using a rational exponent.

Try It #12

Write x (5y) 9 x (5y) 9 using a rational exponent.

Example 13

Simplifying Rational Exponents

Simplify:

  1. 5( 2 x 3 4 )( 3 x 1 5 ) 5( 2 x 3 4 )( 3 x 1 5 )
  2. ( 16 9 ) 1 2 ( 16 9 ) 1 2

Try It #13

Simplify ( 8x ) 1 3 ( 14 x 6 5 ). ( 8x ) 1 3 ( 14 x 6 5 ).

Media

Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with radicals and rational exponents.

1.3 Section Exercises

Verbal

1.

What does it mean when a radical does not have an index? Is the expression equal to the radicand? Explain.

2.

Where would radicals come in the order of operations? Explain why.

3.

Every number will have two square roots. What is the principal square root?

4.

Can a radical with a negative radicand have a real square root? Why or why not?

Numeric

For the following exercises, simplify each expression.

5.

256 256

6.

256 256

7.

4( 9+16 ) 4( 9+16 )

8.

289 121 289 121

9.

196 196

10.

1 1

11.

98 98

12.

27 64 27 64

13.

81 5 81 5

14.

800 800

15.

169 + 144 169 + 144

16.

8 50 8 50

17.

18 162 18 162

18.

192 192

19.

14 6 6 24 14 6 6 24

20.

15 5 +7 45 15 5 +7 45

21.

150 150

22.

96 100 96 100

23.

( 42 )( 30 ) ( 42 )( 30 )

24.

12 3 4 75 12 3 4 75

25.

4 225 4 225

26.

405 324 405 324

27.

360 361 360 361

28.

5 1+ 3 5 1+ 3

29.

8 1 17 8 1 17

30.

16 4 16 4

31.

128 3 +3 2 3 128 3 +3 2 3

32.

−32 243 5 −32 243 5

33.

15 125 4 5 4 15 125 4 5 4

34.

3 −432 3 + 16 3 3 −432 3 + 16 3

Algebraic

For the following exercises, simplify each expression.

35.

400 x 4 400 x 4

36.

4 y 2 4 y 2

37.

49p 49p

38.

( 144 p 2 q 6 ) 1 2 ( 144 p 2 q 6 ) 1 2

39.

m 5 2 289 m 5 2 289

40.

9 3 m 2 + 27 9 3 m 2 + 27

41.

3 a b 2 b a 3 a b 2 b a

42.

4 2n 16 n 4 4 2n 16 n 4

43.

225 x 3 49x 225 x 3 49x

44.

3 44z + 99z 3 44z + 99z

45.

50 y 8 50 y 8

46.

490b c 2 490b c 2

47.

32 14d 32 14d

48.

q 3 2 63p q 3 2 63p

49.

8 1 3x 8 1 3x

50.

20 121 d 4 20 121 d 4

51.

w 3 2 32 w 3 2 50 w 3 2 32 w 3 2 50

52.

108 x 4 + 27 x 4 108 x 4 + 27 x 4

53.

12x 2+2 3 12x 2+2 3

54.

147 k 3 147 k 3

55.

125 n 10 125 n 10

56.

42q 36 q 3 42q 36 q 3

57.

81m 361 m 2 81m 361 m 2

58.

72c 2 2c 72c 2 2c

59.

144 324 d 2 144 324 d 2

60.

24 x 6 3 + 81 x 6 3 24 x 6 3 + 81 x 6 3

61.

162 x 6 16 x 4 4 162 x 6 16 x 4 4

62.

64y 3 64y 3

63.

128 z 3 3 −16 z 3 3 128 z 3 3 −16 z 3 3

64.

1,024 c 10 5 1,024 c 10 5

Real-World Applications

65.

A guy wire for a suspension bridge runs from the ground diagonally to the top of the closest pylon to make a triangle. We can use the Pythagorean Theorem to find the length of guy wire needed. The square of the distance between the wire on the ground and the pylon on the ground is 90,000 feet. The square of the height of the pylon is 160,000 feet. So the length of the guy wire can be found by evaluating 90,000+160,000 . 90,000+160,000 . What is the length of the guy wire?

66.

A car accelerates at a rate of 6 4 t m/s 2 6 4 t m/s 2 where t is the time in seconds after the car moves from rest. Simplify the expression.

Extensions

For the following exercises, simplify each expression.

67.

8 16 4 2 2 1 2 8 16 4 2 2 1 2

68.

4 3 2 16 3 2 8 1 3 4 3 2 16 3 2 8 1 3

69.

m n 3 a 2 c −3 a −7 n −2 m 2 c 4 m n 3 a 2 c −3 a −7 n −2 m 2 c 4

70.

a a c a a c

71.

x 64y +4 y 128y x 64y +4 y 128y

72.

( 250 x 2 100 b 3 )( 7 b 125x ) ( 250 x 2 100 b 3 )( 7 b 125x )

73.

64 3 + 256 4 64 + 256 64 3 + 256 4 64 + 256

Footnotes

  • 1Doignon, J.-P.; Falmagne, J.-Cl. (1985), "Spaces for the assessment of knowledge", International Journal of Man-Machine Studies.
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