Lesson 11A: Equivalent Radical and Exponential Expressions
Problem 1
For the problems below, determine whether each equation is True or False.
Expression True? False?
a. √ 32 = 2 2
3
2
b. 16 2
= 8
c.
4
4 2
= √ 64
d.
8 3 6
2 = (√ 16)
1 1
e. (√ 64) 3
= 8 6
Problem 2
In each of the following problems, a number is given. If possible, determine whether the given number
is rational or irrational. In some cases, it may be impossible to determine whether the given number is
rational or irrational. Justify your answers.
a. 4 + √7
√ 45
b.
√5
6
c.
π
d. √2 + √3
2 + √7
e. , where a is a positive integer
2
2a + √ 7a
f. x + y, where x and y are irrational numbers
Lesson 11A: Target Task
Provide a written explanation for each question below.
1
3 1
a. Is it true that (1000 3 ) = (1000 )
3
3 ? Explain or show how you know.
1
3 1
b. Is it true that (4 ? Explain or show how you know.
3
2 ) = (4 ) 2
th
c. Suppose that m and n are positive integers and b is a real number so that the principal n root of b exists.
1
m 1
In general, does (b ? Explain or show how you know.
m
n
) = (b ) n
Lesson 11A: Problem Set
1. Match each radical expression on the left with an exponential expression on the right. Note that one of the radical
expressions does not have a match on the right. For that expression, write in an exponential expression that is
equivalent.
Radical expression Exponential expression
3
A. √9
3
i. 3 2
B. √33 ii. 3 2
1
C.
2
3
iii. 3 3
√ 32
2
−
iv. 3
3
D. −√36 3
E. (√3) v. write-in
4
2. Write each expression as an exponential expression.
a.
3
√8 b. √ 2a
d.
4
3 −√ 10
c. 4√ (5x)
1
e.
7
3√ x
3. Grace knows that √5 is irrational, but she wonders about other related expressions that involve √5. Do any of
the expressions below represent a rational number? Explain how you know.
a. √5 ⋅ √5
b. √5 + √5
c. (√ 5)
4. Rewrite each expression in the form kx , where k is a real number and n is a positive rational number.
n
2
4x
a. √ 25x5
b.
3
√x
6
8x
c.
3
√ 8x6
1 2 16 4
−
5. Evaluate: 9 2
⋅ 27 3
⋅ ( )
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