Understanding Exponents and Radicals

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 5 views

Introduction

When dealing with exponents and radicals, it's essential to understand the different ways to simplify expressions and find equivalent forms. In this article, we'll focus on the expression $$60^{\frac{1}{2}}$$ and explore the options provided to determine which one is equivalent.

Understanding Exponents and Radicals

Before diving into the problem, let's review the basics of exponents and radicals.

Exponents: An exponent is a small number that is written above and to the right of a larger number. It represents the number of times the base is multiplied by itself. For example, $$2^3 = 2 \times 2 \times 2 = 8$$.
Radicals: A radical is a symbol that indicates the extraction of a root. The most common radical is the square root, denoted by $$\sqrt{}$$. For example, $$\sqrt{16} = 4$$ because 4 multiplied by itself equals 16.

Simplifying $$60^{\frac{1}{2}}$$

Now, let's focus on the expression $$60^{\frac{1}{2}}$$. This expression can be simplified using the definition of exponents and radicals.

60^{\frac{1}{2}} = \sqrt{60}

This is because the exponent $$\frac{1}{2}$$ represents the square root of the base 60.

Evaluating the Options

Now that we've simplified the expression $$60^{\frac{1}{2}}$$, let's evaluate the options provided.

A. $$\frac{60}{2}$$

This option is incorrect because it represents the division of 60 by 2, not the square root of 60.

B. $$\sqrt{60}$$

This option is correct because it represents the square root of 60, which is equivalent to $$60^{\frac{1}{2}}$$.

C. $$\frac{1}{60^2}$$

This option is incorrect because it represents the reciprocal of 60 squared, not the square root of 60.

D. $$\frac{1}{\sqrt{60}}$$

This option is incorrect because it represents the reciprocal of the square root of 60, not the square root of 60 itself.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correct answer is option B, $$\sqrt{60}$$. This is because it represents the square root of 60, which is equivalent to $$60^{\frac{1}{2}}$$.

Key Takeaways

Exponents and radicals are essential concepts in mathematics.
The expression $$60^{\frac{1}{2}}$$ can be simplified using the definition of exponents and radicals.
The correct answer is option B, $$\sqrt{60}$$.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between an exponent and a radical?

A: An exponent is a small number that is written above and to the right of a larger number, representing the number of times the base is multiplied by itself. A radical is a symbol that indicates the extraction of a root.

Q: How do you simplify the expression $$60^{\frac{1}{2}}$$?

A: The expression $$60^{\frac{1}{2}}$$ can be simplified using the definition of exponents and radicals. It is equivalent to $$\sqrt{60}$$.

Q: What is the correct answer?

A: The correct answer is option B, $$\sqrt{60}$$.

Additional Resources

For more information on exponents and radicals, check out the following resources:

Khan Academy: Exponents and Radicals
Mathway: Exponents and Radicals
Wolfram Alpha: Exponents and Radicals

$By following this guide, you should now have a better understanding of how to simplify the expression $$60^{\frac{1}{2}}$$ and find the equivalent form.<br/> **Frequently Asked Questions: Exponents and Radicals**$

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the concept of exponents and radicals and simplified the expression $$60^{\frac{1}{2}}$$. In this article, we'll answer some frequently asked questions related to exponents and radicals.

Q&A

Q: What is the difference between an exponent and a radical?

Example:

Exponent: $$2^3 = 2 \times 2 \times 2 = 8$$
Radical: $$\sqrt{16} = 4$$ because 4 multiplied by itself equals 16

Q: How do you simplify the expression $$60^{\frac{1}{2}}$$?

A: The expression $$60^{\frac{1}{2}}$$ can be simplified using the definition of exponents and radicals. It is equivalent to $$\sqrt{60}$$.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Identify the exponent: $$\frac{1}{2}$$
Determine the base: 60
Simplify the expression: $$60^{\frac{1}{2}} = \sqrt{60}$$

Q: What is the correct answer for the expression $$60^{\frac{1}{2}}$$?

A: The correct answer is option B, $$\sqrt{60}$$.

Q: How do you evaluate the expression $$\sqrt{60}$$?

A: To evaluate the expression $$\sqrt{60}$$, you need to find the number that, when multiplied by itself, equals 60.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Identify the number: 60
Find the square root: $$\sqrt{60} = 7.746$$ (approximately)

Q: What is the difference between a positive and negative exponent?

A: A positive exponent represents the number of times the base is multiplied by itself, while a negative exponent represents the reciprocal of the base.

Example:

Positive exponent: $$2^3 = 2 \times 2 \times 2 = 8$$
Negative exponent: $$2^{-3} = \frac{1}{2^3} = \frac{1}{8}$$

Q: How do you simplify the expression $$\frac{1}{60^2}$$?

A: The expression $$\frac{1}{60^2}$$ can be simplified using the definition of exponents and radicals. It is equivalent to $$\frac{1}{3600}$$.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Identify the exponent: $$2$$
Determine the base: 60
Simplify the expression: $$\frac{1}{60^2} = \frac{1}{3600}$$

Q: What is the difference between a radical and a rational exponent?

A: A radical is a symbol that indicates the extraction of a root, while a rational exponent is a fraction that represents the power to which a number is raised.

Example:

Radical: $$\sqrt{16} = 4$$
Rational exponent: $$16^{\frac{1}{2}} = 4$$

Conclusion

In conclusion, we've answered some frequently asked questions related to exponents and radicals. We've explored the difference between an exponent and a radical, simplified the expression $$60^{\frac{1}{2}}$$, and evaluated the expression $$\sqrt{60}$$. We've also discussed the difference between a positive and negative exponent, simplified the expression $$\frac{1}{60^2}$$, and compared radicals and rational exponents.

Key Takeaways

Exponents and radicals are essential concepts in mathematics.
The expression $$60^{\frac{1}{2}}$$ can be simplified using the definition of exponents and radicals.
The correct answer is option B, $$\sqrt{60}$$.
A positive exponent represents the number of times the base is multiplied by itself, while a negative exponent represents the reciprocal of the base.
A radical is a symbol that indicates the extraction of a root, while a rational exponent is a fraction that represents the power to which a number is raised.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the difference between an exponent and a radical?

Q: How do you simplify the expression $$60^{\frac{1}{2}}$$?

A: The expression $$60^{\frac{1}{2}}$$ can be simplified using the definition of exponents and radicals. It is equivalent to $$\sqrt{60}$$.

Q: What is the correct answer for the expression $$60^{\frac{1}{2}}$$?

A: The correct answer is option B, $$\sqrt{60}$$.

Q: How do you evaluate the expression $$\sqrt{60}$$?

A: To evaluate the expression $$\sqrt{60}$$, you need to find the number that, when multiplied by itself, equals 60.

Q: What is the difference between a positive and negative exponent?

A: A positive exponent represents the number of times the base is multiplied by itself, while a negative exponent represents the reciprocal of the base.

Q: How do you simplify the expression $$\frac{1}{60^2}$$?

A: The expression $$\frac{1}{60^2}$$ can be simplified using the definition of exponents and radicals. It is equivalent to $$\frac{1}{3600}$$.

Q: What is the difference between a radical and a rational exponent?

A: A radical is a symbol that indicates the extraction of a root, while a rational exponent is a fraction that represents the power to which a number is raised.

Additional Resources

For more information on exponents and radicals, check out the following resources:

Khan Academy: Exponents and Radicals
Mathway: Exponents and Radicals
Wolfram Alpha: Exponents and Radicals

By following this guide, you should now have a better understanding of exponents and radicals and be able to simplify expressions and evaluate radicals.