1. Radical Functions and Rational Exponents
Chapter 7
Radical Functions and Rational Exponents

2. In this chapter, you will …
You will extend your knowledge of roots to include cube roots, fourth roots, fifth roots, and so on.
You will learn to add, subtract, multiply, and divide radical expressions, including binomial radical expressions.
You will solve radical equations, and graph translations of radical functions and their inverses.

3. 7-1/7.2 Roots and Radical Expressions
What you’ll learn …
To simplify nth roots

4. A radical sign is used to indicate a root.
The number under the radical sign is the radicand.
The index gives the degree of the root.
radical sign

5. Example 2 Finding Roots
Find each real number root.
√16
√81
√12 4

6. √-27 √64 √-16 Find each real number root. Example 2 Finding Roots 3 3

7. Example 3a Simplifying Radical Expressions
Simplify each radical expression.
√4x6
√a3b6
√x4y8 3 4

8. Example 3b Simplifying Radical Expressions
Simplify each radical expression.
√4x2y4
√-27c6
√x8y12 3 4

9. * * * * To multiply radicals consider the following:
√16 √9 = 4 3 =12 and √16 9 = √144 = 12 * * *
Property Multiplying Radical Expressions
If √a and √b are real numbers, then √a √b = √ab. n n n n n *

10. Example 1a Multiplying Radicals
Multiply. Simplify if possible.
√3 √12
√3 √-9
√4 √ -4 * 3 3 * 4 4 *

11. Example 2 Simplifying Radical Expressions
Simplify each expressions. Assume that all variables are positive.
√50x4
√18x4
3√7x3 2√21x3y2 3 *

12. Example 3 Multiplying Radical Expressions
Multiply and simplify.
3√7x √21x3y2
√54x2y3 √5x3y4 * 3 3 *

13. √b b = = = = To divide radicals consider the following:
√ and (6) √36
√ (5) √25 = = =
Property Dividing Radical Expressions
If √a and √b are real numbers, then √a a
√b b n n n = n n

14. Example 4 Dividing Radicals
Multiply. Simplify if possible.
√ √12x4
√ √3x
√1024x15
√4x

15. To rationalize a denominator of an expression, rewrite it so there are no radicals in any denominator and no denominators in any radical.

16. Example 5 Rationalizing the Denominator
Rationalize the denominator of each expression.
√2x √4
√10xy √6x

17. 7-3 Binomial Radical Expressions
What you’ll learn …
To add and subtract radical expressions
To multiply and divide binomial radical expressions

18. Like radicals are radical expressions that have the same index and the same radicand.

19. Example 1 Adding and Subtracting Radical Expressions3 3
5 √ x √ x √ xy + 5 √ xy
4 √ √ √ √5
2 √ √ 7 3 4

20. Example 2 Simplifying Before Adding or Subtracting
6 √ √ √ 72
√ √ √ 18

21. Example 4 Multiplying Binomial Radical Expressions
(3 + 2√ 5 ) ( √ 5 )
(√ √ 5 ) 2

22. Example 5 Multiplying Conjugates
(2 + √ 3 ) ( √ 3 )
(√ √ 5 ) (√ √ 5 )

23. Example 6 Rationalizing a Binomial Radical Denominator
3 + √5
1 - √5
6 + √15
4 - √15

24. To simplify expressions with rational exponents
What you’ll learn …
To simplify expressions with rational exponents

25. Another way to write a radical expression is to use a rational (fractional) exponent.
Like the radical form, the exponent form always indicates the principal root.
√25 = 25½ 3
√27 = 27⅓ 4
√16 = 161/4

26. Example 1 Simplifying Expressions with Rational Exponents
1251/3 5½
2½ ½
2½ ½
P/R = power/root r
√x p
( √x )p r * *

27. A rational exponent may have a numerator other than 1
A rational exponent may have a numerator other than 1. The property (am)n = amn shows how to rewrite an expression with an exponent that is an improper fraction.
Example
253/2 = 25(3*1/2) = (253)½ = √253

28. Example 2 Converting to and from Radical Form
y -2.5
y -3/8
√a3
( √b )2
√x2 5 3

29. Properties of Rational Exponents
Let m and n represent rational numbers. Assume that no denominator = 0.
Property Example
am * an = a m+n ⅓ * 8⅔ = 8 ⅓+⅔ = 81 =8
(am)n = amn (5½)4 = 5½*4 = 52 = 25
(ab)m = ambm (4 *5)½ = 4½ * 5½ =2 * 5½

30. Properties of Rational Exponents
Let m and n represent rational numbers. Assume that no denominator = 0.
Property Example
a-m ½
am ½
am a m-n π3/ π 3/2-1/2 = π1 = π
an π ½
a m am ⅓ ⅓
b bm ⅓ = = = = = ⅓ = =

31. Example 4 Simplifying Numbers with Rational Exponents
(-32)3/5
4 -3.5

32. Example 5 Writing Expressions in Simplest Form
(16y-8) -3/4
(8x15)-1/3

33. 7-5 Solving Radical Equations
What you’ll learn …
To solve radical equations
2.07 Use equations with radical expressions to model and solve problems; justify results. a) Solve using tables, graphs, and algebraic properties.

34. A radical equation is an equation that has a variable in a radicand or has a variable with a rational exponent.
Radical Equation
Not a Radical Equation

35. Steps for Solving a Radical Equation
Get radical by itself.
Raise both sides to index power.
Solve for x.
Check.

36. Example 1 Solving Radical Equations with Index 2
Solve
2 + √3x-2 = 6
√5x+1 – 6 = 0

37. Example 2 Solving Radical Equations with Rational Exponents
Solve
2 (x – 2)2/3 = 50
3(x+1)3/5 = 24

38. Real World Connection
A company manufactures solar cells that produce 0.02 watts of power per square centimeter of surface area. A circular solar cell needs to produce at least 10 watts. What is the minimum radius?

39. Example 4 Checking for Extraneous Solutions
Solve
√x – = x
√3x √2x + 7 = 0

40. Example 5 Solving Equations with Two Rational Exponents
Solve
(2x +1)0.5 – (3x+4)0.25 = 0
Solve
(x +1)2/3 – (9x+1)1/3 = 0

41. 7-8 Graphing Radical Functions
What you’ll learn …
Graph radical functions
2.07 Use equations with radical expressions to model and solve problems; justify results. a) Solve using tables, graphs, and algebraic properties.

42. A radical equation defines a radical function
A radical equation defines a radical function. The graph of the radical function y= √x + k is a translation of the graph of y= √x. If k is positive, the graph is translated k units up. If k is negative, the graph is translated k units down.

43. Example 1 Translating Square Root Functions Vertically
y = √x
y = √x + 3

44. Example 2 Translating Square Root Functions Horizontally
y = √x
y = √x + 3

45. Example 3 Graphing Square Root Functions
y = -√x

46. Example 4 Graphing Square Root Functions
y = -2√x

47. Real World Connection
The function h(x) = 0.4 √ x models the height h in meters of a female giraffe that has a mass of x kilograms. Graph the model with a graphing calculator. Use the graph to estimate the mass of the young giraffe in the photo. 3
2.5 m

48. Example 6 Graphing Cube Root Functions3
y = 2√x

49. Example 7 Transforming Radical Equations
y = √4x-12
Rewrite to make it easy to graph using a translation. Describe the graph.
y = √8x 3
Rewrite to make it easy to graph using a translation. Describe the graph.

50. In this chapter, you should have …
Extended your knowledge of roots to include cube roots, fourth roots, fifth roots, and so on.
Learned to add, subtract, multiply, and divide radical expressions, including binomial radical expressions.
Solved radical equations, and graphed translations of radical functions and their inverses.