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Modules for Math 0
(Mathematics for Engineering Science and Technology)

Module 5 (Rational Exponents and Radicals)

Time Allotment : 2 hrs lecture / 4 hrs lab

Presentation of the Lesson

5.1 Concept of an Exponent

As far as the concept of an exponent is concerned, the expression 𝒂𝒏 is defined only when 𝒏  𝑵. We shall now consider the
possibility of giving a meaning to an exponent which is not a natural number. In other words, we wish to extend the definition of 𝒂𝒏 where
n is some number other than a natural positive integer.
The product of 𝒂. 𝒂. 𝒂. 𝒂. 𝒂 can be written in exponential form as 𝒂𝟓 where 𝒂 is called base and 5 is the exponent. Base is the
number of the variable to be multiplied by itself and exponent is a small number written above the base which indicates how many times
the base is to be used as a factor.
5.2 Laws on Exponents (Index Laws)
I. 𝑎𝑚 ∙ 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚+𝑛
II. (𝑎𝑚 )𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚𝑛
III. (𝑎𝑏)𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛 𝑏 𝑛
𝑎𝑚
IV. = 𝑎𝑚−𝑛 if 𝑚 > 𝑛 and
𝑎𝑛
1
= if 𝑚 < 𝑛
𝑎𝑛−𝑚
𝑎 𝑛 𝑎𝑛
V. [ ] =
𝑏 𝑏𝑛

VI. 𝑎0 = 1
1
VII. 𝑎−𝑛 =
𝑎𝑛

Example 1
a. 𝑎3 ∙ 𝑎2 = 𝑎3+2 = 𝑎5
b. (𝑎2 )3 = 𝑎2∙3 = 𝑎6
c. (2𝑥𝑦)2 = 22 ∙ 𝑥 2 ∙ 𝑦 2 = 4𝑥 2 𝑦 2
𝑎5
d. = 𝑎5−2 = 𝑎3
𝑎2

𝑎 3 𝑎3 𝑎3
e. ( ) = =
2 23 8
𝑎4
f. = 𝑎4−4 = 𝑎0 = 1
𝑎4
𝑎4 1
g. = 𝑎4−7 = 𝑎−3 =
𝑎7 𝑎3

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 Example 2
1 1
a. 2−3 = =
23 8

b. 3 −5
∙ 3 ∙ 3 = 3−5+4+3 = 32 = 9
4 3

53 ∙5−9 53−9 5−6 1 1

c. = = = =
5−4 ∙511 ∙5−2 5−4+11−2 55 55 ∙56 511 ∙
23 ∙4−2 23 (22 )−2 23 2−4 2−1 1 1
d. = = = = 2−1−4 = 2−5 = =
4 5 ∙8−2 (22 )5 (23 )−2 210 2−6 24 25 32

Example 3
Convert the following to an equivalent fraction in which all exponents are positive:
2−3 𝑎 −2 𝑏𝑐 −1 42 𝑏𝑦 3 (22 )2 𝑏𝑦 3 24−3 𝑏𝑦 3 2𝑏𝑦 3
a. = = = =
4 −2 𝑥𝑦 −3 𝑧 4 23 𝑎2 𝑐𝑥𝑧 4 23 𝑎2 𝑐𝑥𝑧 4 𝑎2 𝑐𝑥𝑧 4 𝑎2 𝑐𝑥𝑧 4

4𝑥 −2 −9𝑦 −2 4𝑥 −2 −9𝑦 −2 𝑥2 𝑦2
b. = ∙
3𝑥+2𝑦 3𝑥+2𝑦 𝑥2 𝑦2

4𝑥 −2+2 𝑦 2 −9𝑥 2 𝑦 −2+2

=
(3𝑥+2𝑦)𝑥 2 𝑦 2

4𝑥 0 𝑦 2 −9𝑥 2 𝑦 0
=
(3𝑥+2𝑦)𝑥 2 𝑦 2

4𝑦 2 −9𝑥 2
=
(3𝑥+2𝑦)𝑥 2 𝑦 2
(2𝑦+3𝑥)(2𝑦−3𝑥)
=
(3𝑥+2𝑦)𝑥 2 𝑦 2
(2𝑦−3𝑥)
=
𝑥2 𝑦2
1
c. (3𝑥 −2 + 4𝑦 −1 )−1 =
3𝑥 −2 +4𝑦 −1

1 𝑥2𝑦
= ∙
3𝑥 −2 +4𝑦 −1 𝑥2𝑦

𝑥2𝑦
=
3𝑥 −2+2 𝑦+4𝑥 2 𝑦 −1+1

𝑥2𝑦
=
3𝑥 0 𝑦+4𝑥 2 𝑦 0

𝑥2𝑦
=
3𝑦+4𝑥 2

5.3 Concept of a Radical

𝑛 𝑛
If 𝒏 is any positive integer, the expression √𝑎 denotes a number whose 𝒏𝒕𝒉 power is 𝒂. In other word √𝑎 is such that:
𝑛 𝑛
( √𝑎 ) = 𝑎
𝑛
In the expression: √𝑎 ,
𝑎 = is called the radicand,
𝑛 = is the index
√ = is the radical sign,
𝑛
√𝑎 = radical
The index indicates the order of the radical and the type of root to be extracted. A radical of the second order is usually written with
the index 2 omitted. The radical of the third order is written with the index 3 and the radical of the fourth order is written with the index 4
and so on.
Radicals having the same index and radicand are called like or similar radicals.
Example 4
The following are like or similar radicals:
3 3 3
a. √2𝑥 , 5 √2𝑥 , −4 √2𝑥
b. 3√5𝑎, −5√5𝑎, 7√5𝑎
5.4 Properties of Radicals
𝑛 1 𝑛 𝑛
𝑛
I. ( √𝑎 ) = (𝑎 𝑛 ) = 𝑎 𝑛 = 𝑎
1 1
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
II. √𝑎𝑏 = (𝑎)𝑛 ∙ (𝑏)𝑛 = √𝑎 ∙ √𝑏

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 1 1
𝑛
𝑛 𝑎 𝑎 𝑛 𝑎𝑛 √𝑎
III. √ = ( ) = 1 = 𝑛
𝑏 𝑏 √𝑏
𝑏𝑛
1
1 𝑚 1
𝑚𝑛 𝑛𝑚
IV. √𝑎 = (𝑎 ) = 𝑎𝑛𝑚 =
𝑛 √𝑎

Example 5
3
a. √𝑥 3 = 𝑥
b. √25𝑥 4 = √25 ∙ √𝑥 4 = 5𝑥 2
3
3 27𝑥 3 √27𝑥 3 3𝑥
c. √ = 3 =
64𝑦 3 √64𝑦 3 4𝑦

5.5 Removal of Factors from the Radicand

Removal of factors from the radicand can be applied if the radicand can be represented by two factors: one is a perfect square and
the remaining, a prime.
Example 6
a. √125 = √25 ∙ 5 = √25 ∙ √5 = 5√5
3 3 3 3
b. √8𝑥 5 𝑦 6 = √8𝑥 3 𝑦 6 ∙ √𝑥 2 = 2𝑥𝑦 2 ∙ √𝑥 2
3 3 3 3
c. √−16𝑥 7 = √−8𝑥 6 ∙ √2𝑥 = −2𝑥 2 ∙ √2𝑥
5.6 Reduction of the Index
The order of the radical (index) may be reduced by expressing the radicand to a power whose exponent is a factor and reducing the
fractional exponent to its lowest terms.
Example 7
2 1
4 4
a. √81 = √92 = 94 = 92 = √9
2 1
6 6
b. √81𝑥 2 𝑦 2 = √(9𝑥𝑦)2 = (9𝑥𝑦)6 = (9𝑥𝑦)3 = 3√9𝑥𝑦
3 1
9 9
c. √27𝑥 3 𝑦 3 = √(3𝑥𝑦)3 = (3𝑥𝑦)9 = (3𝑥𝑦)3 = 3√3𝑥𝑦
5.7 Reduction of the Radicand to an Integral Factor
A fractional radicand may be reduced to one having an integral form by multiplying both numerator and denominator by an expression
that will make the denominator an exact 𝒏𝒕𝒉 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 where 𝒏 is the index and following the formula:
𝑛
𝑛 𝑎 √𝑎
√𝑏 = 𝑛
√𝑏

5.8 Rules Involving Radical Expressions

The rules on positive exponents discussed in the previous section are applicable to fractional exponents or radical expressions. The
assumption that 𝒏 is a positive integer can still be used. But the variables 𝑥 and 𝑦 must be greater than 0.
Basic Rules
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
1. √𝑥 𝑛 = ( √𝑥 ) = 𝑥
𝑛
2. √𝑥 ∙ 𝑛√𝑦 = 𝑛√𝑥𝑦
𝑛
√𝑥 𝑛 𝑥
3. 𝑛 = √
√𝑦 𝑦

Example 8
3
a. √𝑥 3 = 𝑥
3 3 3
b. √𝑥 2 ∙ √𝑥 = √𝑥 3 = 𝑥
3
√𝑥 5 3 𝑥5 3
c. 3 =√ = √𝑥 3 = 𝑥
√𝑥 2 𝑥2

5.9 Removing the Rational Factor from the Radicand

A factor of the radicand, which is in a perfect power, may be removed from the radicand by using rule numbers 1 and 2 of section 5.8.
If the radical is of the second order, then we look for factors of the radicand that is a perfect square.

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 Example 9
Simplify the following expressions
a. √18 = √9 ∙ 2 = √9 ∙ √2 = 3√2
b. √50 = √25 ∙ 2 = √25 ∙ √2 = 5√2
c. √27𝑥 3 𝑦 = √9𝑥 2 ∙ 3𝑥𝑦 = √9𝑥 2 ∙ √3𝑥𝑦 = 3𝑥 √3𝑥𝑦
3 3 3 3 3 3 3
d. √108 = √27 ∙ 4 = √27 ∙ √4 = √33 ∙ √4 = 3 √4
3 3 3 3 3 3
e. √16𝑥 7 = √8𝑥 6 ∙ √2𝑥 = √(2𝑥 2 )3 ∙ √2𝑥 = 2𝑥 2 √2𝑥
4 4 4 4 4 4
f. √64𝑥 5 𝑦 6 = √16𝑥 4 𝑦 4 ∙ √4𝑥𝑦 2 = √(2𝑥𝑦)4 ∙ √4𝑥𝑦 2 = (2𝑥𝑦) √4𝑥𝑦 2
5.10 Reducing the Index of a Radical
We note in section 5.8 that a radical expression can be in reduced form if such expression is presented in its lowest possible order.
Reduction of the order of a radical can be done easier when we use fractional exponents. If a radicand can be expressed as a power
wherein the exponent is one of the factors of the index of the radical, then fractional exponents can be simplified. You will employ the
fundamental principle of fractions to fractional exponents.
Example 10
6 3 1
6
a. √8 = √23 = 26 = 22 = √2
4 1
8
b. √𝑥4 = 𝑥8 = 𝑥2 = √𝑥
6 3 1
6 3
c. √27𝑥9 = √(3𝑥3 ) = (3𝑥3 )6 = (3𝑥3 )2 = √(3𝑥)3 = 𝑥√3𝑥
6 2 1
6
d. √36𝑥2 = √(6𝑥)2 = (6𝑥)6 = (6𝑥)3 = √
3
6𝑥
5.11 Rationalizing the Denominator
If a given fraction has a radical in the denominator, then the fraction is simplified by multiplying both numerator and the denominator
by an expression of the same order. The expression will make the radicand a perfect power. This procedure will rationalize the
denominator.
Example 11
Simplify the expression
3 3 √2 3√2
a. = ∙ =
√2 √2 √2 2
3 3 3
10 10 √2 10 √2 10 √2 3
b. 3 = 3 ∙3 = 3 = = 5 √2
√4 √4 √2 √8 2
3 3 3
2𝑥 2𝑥 √9𝑥 2 2𝑥 √9𝑥 2 2𝑥 √9𝑥 2 23
c. 3 = 3 ∙3 = 3 = = √9𝑥 2
√3𝑥 √3𝑥 √9𝑥 2 √27𝑥 3 3𝑥 3

√5 √5 √6 √30 √30
d. = ∙ = =
√6 √6 √6 √36 6

5 5 √5+√3
e. = ∙
√5−√3 √5−√3 √5+√3

5√5+5√3
= 2
(√5) −(3)2

5√5+5√3
=
5−3

5√5+5√3
=
2

5.12 Operations on Radicals

5.12.1 Addition and Subtraction of Radicals
Only similar radicals having the same indices and radicands can be added or subtracted. To add or subtract two or more
radicals, reduce the given radicals to similar radicals by any of the procedures of simplification of radicals, and combine similar
radicals according to the distributive law of addition.

Example 12
a. 4√2 + 3√2 + 2√2 = (4 + 3 + 2)√2 = 9√2
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 b. 4√3 − 2√3 + √3 = (4 − 2 + 1)√3 = 3√3
c. √2 + √18 − √8 = √2 + √9 ∙ 2 − √4 ∙ 2
= √2 + √9 ∙ √2 − √4 ∙ √2
= √2 + 3√2 − 2√2
= (1 + 3 − 2)√2
= 2√2
5.12.2 Multiplication of Radicals
In multiplying radicals, three cases must be considered. These radicals can be facilitated in terms of their simplification.

Case I. Multiplication of radicals having the same indices.

Example 13
a. √3 ∙ √5 = √3 ∙ 5 = √15
b. √𝑎𝑏 ∙ √𝑎𝑏 = √𝑎2 𝑏 2 = 𝑎𝑏
3 3 3 3
c. √2𝑥 2 ∙ √4𝑥 = √2𝑥 2 ∙ 4𝑥 = √8𝑥 3 = 2𝑥
Case II. Multiplication of radicals having the same radicand but different indices.
Example 14
1 1
3 4
a. √2𝑥 ∙ √2𝑥 = (2𝑥)3 (2𝑥)4
4 3
= (2𝑥)12 (2𝑥)12
4 3
= (2𝑥)12+12
7
= (2𝑥)12
12
= √128𝑥 7
Case III. Multiplication of radicals having different radicands and different indices.
Example 15
1 1 1 2 1 2 3+2 5
3 + 6 6
a. √3 ∙ √9 = (3)2 ∙ (9)3 = 32 ∙ 33 = 32 3 = 3 6 = 36 = √35 = √243
1 1
3 4
b. √2𝑥 ∙ √3𝑥 2 = (2𝑥)3 ∙ (3𝑥 2 )4
4 3
= (2𝑥)12 ∙ (3𝑥 2 )12
12 12
= √(2𝑥)4 ∙ √(3𝑥 2 )3
12
= √16𝑥 4 ∙ 27𝑥 6
12
= √432𝑥 10
5.12.3 Division of Radicals
In dividing radicals, follow the formula which defines the quotient of a radical divided by another radical of similar order as a
radical of the same order and with a radicand equal to the quotient of the individual radicands. This implies that radicals must be
reduced to a common order to permit division within the radical sign. Rationalization is also applied in the division of radicals.

Example 16
2√28 2 28 2 2 4
a. = √ = √4 = (2) =
3√7 3 7 3 3 3

3 3 2−√5
b. = ∙
2+√5 2+√5 2−√5

3(2−√5)
=
(2+√5)(2−√5)

6−3√5
=
4−5
6−3√5
=
−1

= 3√5 − 6

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Exercise 5
I. Simplify the following expressions by applying the laws of exponents:
1. (2𝑥 3 𝑦 2 )2 8. (−𝑘)3 (−2𝑘 2 )2 14.
𝑎2 𝑏 −5
𝑎4 𝑏 −2
2. (4𝑎2 𝑏 2 𝑐 4 )3 9.
16𝑎2
3
8𝑎2 4𝑎−3 𝑏 2
12𝑥 4 𝑦 3 15. ( )
𝑐2
3. 4𝑎5 𝑏 3
6𝑥 2 𝑦 10.
−4𝑥 3 𝑦 16. (−2𝑥 −3 𝑦 −2 )−3
3𝑥 2 𝑦 3
4. 9𝑥 13 2𝑎 −2 𝑏 −3
2𝑥 4 𝑦 11. 17.
−4𝑥 3 𝑦 𝑎 −1 𝑏 2 𝑐 −1
5. (−5𝑥 2 𝑦)4
12. (−2𝑥 2 )3 18. 𝑟 3 (𝑟 2 𝑠)3
4𝑎5 𝑏 3
6. 𝑥 3 𝑦 −5 19. 𝑎2 (𝑎𝑏)𝑛−2 𝑏 2
−2𝑎𝑏 13.
𝑥 5 𝑦 −6
7. (−3𝑚)(−𝑚2 𝑛)2 20. 𝑥 𝑛+1 𝑦 2 (𝑥𝑦 2 )𝑛−1
II. Simplify the expression using the laws of exponents, and express each result with nonzero or negative exponents and no
fractional exponents in the denominator:
1 1 1 (𝑏2 −4)
1. (3𝑥 3 ) (2𝑥 2 ) 5 −5 5 1
5. (243−1 𝑎 3 𝑏 7 ) 𝑥 (𝑏−2)
𝑏

2 1 9. ( 1 )
12𝑥 3 𝑦 2 2 𝑥 (𝑏+2)
2. 1 3
3 −
3
8𝑥 3 𝑦 4 𝑎
3𝑥 3 𝑦 4 6. ( ) 𝑥 𝑎+𝑏 (𝑎+2𝑏)
27𝑥 −6 𝑦
4 10. ( 3𝑏 )
27𝑥 5 𝑦 −1 𝑥
3. 4 −
1
6
9𝑥 3 𝑦 0 64𝑥 −1 𝑦 6
7. ( 3 )
1 𝑥0𝑦2
3 −3 3
4. (64𝑥 𝑦 ) 8 5 1 1
8. (16𝑥 6 𝑦 4 )2 (27𝑥 9 𝑦 6 )3
III. Remove all possible factors from each radicand and then combine terms by addition and subtraction:
1. √3 − √98 + √12
2. √5 − √45 + √80 + √125
3 3 3
3. √16 + √2 − √128
3 3 3
4. √40 + √135 − √5
3 3
5. √18 + √128 + √8 − √54
3 3
6. √27 + √54 − √12 − √16
3 3
7. √50 − √375 + √72 + √24
3 3 3 3
8. √8𝑐 5 𝑑 + √27𝑐 4 𝑑 5 + √27𝑐 2 𝑑 4 − √𝑐 7 𝑑 5
3 3 3 3
9. √81 − √256 − √24 − √108
3 3 3 3
10. √3𝑐 4 𝑟 2 + √8𝑐 2 𝑟 4 − √24𝑐𝑟 8 + √27𝑐 5 𝑟

IV. Rationalize the monomial denominators and remove all possible factors from the radicand:
3𝑥 5 243𝑥 5 𝑦 8 27𝑥 5 𝑦 12
1. √ 5. √ 9. √
5𝑦 147𝑥𝑦 5 4𝑥 2 𝑦 14

3𝑥 24𝑥 3 𝑦 9 125𝑥 7 𝑦
2. √5𝑦3 6. √ 10. √
54𝑥𝑦 4 18𝑥 5 𝑦 2

2𝑥 3 7𝑥 8 𝑦 4
3. √ 7. √
50𝑦 5 6𝑥 6 𝑦

8𝑥 7 64𝑥 5 𝑦 9
4. √ 8. √
27𝑦 3 6𝑥𝑦 7

V. Rationalize the binomial denominators:

3 2
1. 4. 7.
2+√3
9.
√3+2√2
2+√5 √3−√7 √5−√3 √2−√3
1 5
2. 5. 8.
1+2√5
10.
√14−2
√5−2 √10−√5
√3+√5 √7−√2
6 12
3. 6.
√5−√2 √13−√7

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 References and Learning Materials
Alexander, Daniel C. and Geralyn M. Koeberlain. (2015). Elementary Geometry for College Students. 6th ed. Australia:
Cenkage Learning.
Carpio,Joy N, and Jaymie M. Guillermo (2015) College Algebra. Mandaluyong City.
Karr, Rosemary M, Marilyn B. Massey and R. David Gustafson. (2015). B–eginning Algebra: A Guided Approach. 10th Ed.
Australia: Cenkage Learning.
Poole, David. (2015). Linear Algebra: A Modern Introduction. 4th Ed. Australia: Cenkage Learning.
Sato, Matsuo, et al. (2016). Matrix and Linear Algebra. New York: Magnum Publishing.
Sirug, Winston S. (2015). Analytical Geometry. Manila: MIndshapers.
Young, (2015). Algebra and Trigonometry. Quezon City: Maxcor Publishing House, Inc.

Course Outline No. of Hours

Part I: Algebra
1. Polynomials: Four Fundamental Operations 9 hours
2. Special Products 3 hours
3. Factoring 6 hours
4. Fractions 6 hours
5. Exponents and Radicals 6 hours
6. Linear Equations 4 hours
7. Systems of Linear Equations 3 hours
8. Quadratic Equations 3 hours
9. Logarithmic and Exponential Functions 3 hours (Midterm Examination)
Part II: Trigonometry
1. Circular & Trigonometric Functions 4 hours
2. Solution of Right Triangles & Applications 3 hours
3. Solution of Oblique Triangles 3 hours
4. Trigonometric Identities 3 hours
Part III: Analytic Geometry
1. The Rectangular Coordinate System 7 hours
2. The Straight Line 7 hours
Part IV: Solid Mensuration
1. Plane Figures 3 hours
2. Solids for Which Volume = Bh 3 hours
3. Solids for Which Volume = 1/3 Bh 3 hours (Pre – Final Examination)
4. The Sphere and Hemisphere 5 hours (Final Examination)

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Prepared by:
Prof. Ninfa Sua – Sotomil
Cell No: 09338577007
Tel No: 5234099
sotomil_ninfas@[Link]