Question

How would you define what a rational exponent is?

Answer 1

A rational number is any number that can be written as a fraction where the numerator and denominator are counting numbers.

so a rational exponent just means a number raised to a fraction power.

General definition: b^(m/n) = nth root of b^m

examples: 4^(1/2) = 2nd root of 4^1, or square root of 4

so 4^(1/2) = 2

8^(2/3) = 3rd root of 8^2, so 8^(2/3) = cuberoot of 64 = 4

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110528141751AAMEg2G