1. Chapter R Section 8: nth Roots and Rational Exponents
In this section, we will…
Evaluate nth Roots
Simplify Radical Expressions
Add, Subtract, Multiply and
Divide Radical Expressions
Rationalize Denominators
Simplify Expressions with Rational Exponents
Factor Expressions with Radicals or Rational Exponents

2. Recall from Review Section 2…
If a is a non-negative real number, any number b, such that is the square root of a and is denoted
If a is a non-negative real number, any non-negative number b, such that
is the primary square root of a and is denoted
Examples: Evaluate the following by taking the square root.
The principal root of a positive number is positive
principal root:
Negative numbers do not have real # square roots
R.8 nth Roots and Rational Expressions: nth Roots

3. where a, b are any real number if n is odd
The principal nth root of a real number a, n > 2 an integer, symbolized by
is defined as follows:
where and if n is even
where a, b are any real number if n is odd
Examples: Simplify each expression.
index
radicand
radical
principal root:
R.8 nth Roots and Rational Expressions: nth Roots

4. Simplifying Radicals: A radical is in simplest form when:
Properties of Radicals: Let and denote positive integers and let a and b represent real numbers. Assuming that all radicals are defined:
Simplifying Radicals: A radical is in simplest form when:
No radicals appear in the denominator of a fraction
The radicand cannot have any factors that are perfect roots (given the index)
Examples: Simplify each expression.
R.8 nth Roots and Rational Expressions: Simplify Radical Expressions

5. Simplifying Radical Expressions Containing Variables:
Examples: Simplify each expression. Assume that all variables are positive.
When we divide the exponent by the index, the remainder remains under the radical
R.8 nth Roots and Rational Expressions: Simplify Radical Expressions

6. Adding and Subtracting Radical Expressions:
simplify each radical expression
combine all like-radicals (combine the coefficients and keep the common radical)
Examples: Simplify each expression. Assume that all variables are positive.
R.8 nth Roots and Rational Expressions: Add, Subtract, Multiply and Divide Radicals

7. Multiplying and Dividing Radical Expressions:
Examples: Simplify each expression. Assume that all variables are positive.
R.8 nth Roots and Rational Expressions: Add, Subtract, Multiply and Divide Radicals

8. Examples: Simplify each expression
Examples: Simplify each expression. Assume that all variables are positive.
Vegas Rule
R.8 nth Roots and Rational Expressions: Add, Subtract, Multiply and Divide Radicals

9. Rationalizing Denominators: Recall that simplifying a radical expression means that no radicals appear in the denominator of a fraction.
Examples: Simplify each expression. Assume that all variables are positive.
R.8 nth Roots and Rational Expressions: Rationalize Denominators

10. Rationalizing Binomial Denominators: example:
Examples: Simplify each expression. Assume that all variables are positive.
The conjugate of the binomial a + b is a – b and the conjugate of a – b is a + b.
R.8 nth Roots and Rational Expressions: Rationalize Denominators

11. Evaluating Rational Exponents:
Examples: Simplify each expression.
R.8 nth Roots and Rational Expressions: Simplify Expressions with Rational Exponents

12. Simplifying Expressions Containing Rational Exponents: Recall the following from Review Section 2:
Laws of Exponents: For any integers m, n (assuming no divisions by 0)
and
new!
new!
R.8 nth Roots and Rational Expressions: Simplify Expressions with Rational Exponents

13. Examples: Simplify each expression
Examples: Simplify each expression. Express your answer so that only positive exponents occur. Assume that the variables are positive.
R.8 nth Roots and Rational Expressions: Simplify Expressions with Rational Exponents

14. Factoring Expressions with Radicals and/or Rational Exponents: Recall that, when factoring, we take out the GCF with the smallest exponent in the terms.
Examples: Factor each expression. Express your answer so that only positive exponents occur.
R.8 nth Roots and Rational Expressions: Factor Expressions with Radicals/Rational Exponents

15. Examples: Factor each expression
Examples: Factor each expression. Express your answer so that only positive exponents occur.
R.8 nth Roots and Rational Expressions: Factor Expressions with Radicals/Rational Exponents

16. Examples: Factor each expression
Examples: Factor each expression. Express your answer so that only positive exponents occur.
R.8 nth Roots and Rational Expressions: Factor Expressions with Radicals/Rational Exponents

17. Examples: Factor each expression
Examples: Factor each expression. Express your answer so that only positive exponents occur.
R.8 nth Roots and Rational Expressions: Factor Expressions with Radicals/Rational Exponents

18. where is the initial velocity in ft/sec of the object.
Example: The final velocity, v, of an object in feet per second (ft/sec)
after it slides down a frictionless inclined plane of height h feet is:
where is the initial velocity
in ft/sec of the object.
What is the final velocity, v, of an object that slides down a frictionless inclined plane of height 2 feet with an initial velocity of 4 ft/sec?
R.8 nth Roots and Rational Expressions: Applications

19. Independent Practice
You learn math by doing math. The best way to learn math is to practice, practice, practice. The assigned homework examples provide you with an opportunity to practice. Be sure to complete every assigned problem (or more if you need additional practice). Check your answers to the odd-numbered problems in the back of the text to see whether you have correctly solved each problem; rework all problems that are incorrect.
Read pp
Homework:
pp #7-51 odds, odds,
89-93 odds, 107
Don’t leave your grades to chance…do your homework!
R.8 nth Roots and Rational Expressions

20. Review of Exam Policies and Procedures
Page 7 of the Student Guide and Syllabus
From Math for Artists…
“These are the laws of exponents and radicals in bright, cheerful, easy to memorize colors.”
R.8 nth Roots and Rational Expressions