Question

I'm working on fractional eponents... does any one have some simple tips or tricks to help? Im really struggling with the concept.

Answer 1

\[\huge \sqrt[n]{x^m}=x^{\frac{m}{n}}\]

Answer 2

fractional exponents are another way of writing radicals

Answer 3

so what do I do with \[x ^{3/10}*x ^{1/5}\] I know that we add the exponets so i would have to take those and find the LCD, then add them, then do the rewritting of the radical?

Answer 4

Yes, exactly.

Answer 5

\(\huge x^\frac{p}{q} \times x^\frac{a}{b} \rightarrow x^{\frac{p}{q}+\frac{a}{b}} \)

Answer 6

you don't necessarily have to write it into radical form unless you're asked to do so

Answer 7

so my first step with this would be to distribute
\[(-5x ^{3/4}y)(-2x ^{1/2}y ^{2/3})\]

Answer 8

The teacher says that we should write the answer in what ever form the question is being asked in...

Answer 9

distribute what?

Answer 10

the group on the left to the group on the right

Answer 11

one trick is to make all the exponents of common variables with the same denominator
so \(\large y^\frac{3}{3} \times y^\frac{2}{3} \)
since in fractional form \(\frac{p}{p}=1\)

Answer 12

\(\large \frac{3}{4} + \frac{1}{2} \rightarrow \frac{3}{4} + \frac{2}{\color{red}{4}} \)

Answer 13

so \[x ^{3/4}*x ^{2/4}\]

Answer 14

correct

Answer 15

so it would be \[x ^{5/4}\]

Answer 16

see how it easier it is?

Answer 17

now don't forget the coefficients, because they play a huge part specially the signs

Answer 18

yes...

Answer 19

\[10x ^{5/4}y ^{5/3}\] would be the answer

Answer 20

you know that what I did is just the same as looking for the LCD, I just reworded it in a way it fits right in your problem example

Answer 21

correct

Answer 22

thank you so much for your help :) fractions are always a pain.. haha

Answer 23

ye they are, but they are very important

Answer 24

you can train yourself to solve for fractions fast by doing a lot of problems, first by hand and then force yourself to do it mentally