QUESTIONS:
2014; 1aii
2014; 1aiii
2013; 2bi
2013; 2bii
terms with FraCtional
exponents
m
n
n
a = am
A term raised to the power of
a fractional exponent can be
rearranged to be written in
surd form
For the term a-m a is the base and -m is the exponent
An exponent can also be refered to as an index or power
A term can be transfered to surd form by rewriting
the fractional exponent with a root sign. In surd form
the numerator of the fraction stays raised to the
power of the term but the denominator is written over
the root sign.
3
4
for instance (16x )2
Any term where the exponent is 0 will equal 1
e.g a0 =1
(-5)0 =1
Simple questions will require you to just
multiply exponents
Higher level questions will require you to
multiply exponents before using more
complex skills
practice Question
(16x )
Step One
Step Two
Rewrite as surd
Simplify expression
2
4
(
( 16x
3
3
Note:
(
2
3
is the
same as
3
Note: Denominator and root are
now in bracket
(
2
3
2
Seperate term
and exponent
and simplfy
seperately
Raise bracket to
power by seperating
term and exponent
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( 16x
( 16 ( x
( 16 = 4 ( x
2
4
(
(
Rewrite
with surd
Solve
bracket first
(16x )
2
2
3
2
2
4
(
Rewrite as
surd
3
4 2
(
Identify
fractional
exponent
2
3
(4x )3 = (4)
= (64)
And get
64x6
4
(
Simplify
3
3 2
= x4/2
= x2
2 3
(x )
= x6