Algebra II

If n is a natural number greater than 1 and b is any real number, then

and since a negative exponent indicates a reciprocal, then

Example 1

Simplify each of the following.

1. 36 ^1/2

2. (72 x ⁴ y) ^1/3

3. 16 ^–(1/4)

If n is a natural number greater than 1, m is an integer, and b is a non‐negative real number, then

and

Example 2

Simplify each of the following.

1. 27 ^2/3

2. 25 ^–(3/2)