Understanding Exponents and Rational Exponents

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 8 views

Understanding Exponents and Rational Exponents

When dealing with exponents, it's essential to understand the rules and properties that govern them. In this case, we're given an expression involving two terms with rational exponents. To simplify this expression, we need to apply the rules of exponents and rational exponents.

Rational Exponents

A rational exponent is an exponent that is a fraction. It has two parts: the numerator and the denominator. The numerator tells us the power to which the base is raised, while the denominator tells us the root of the base. For example, $a^{\frac{m}{n}}$ means $a$ raised to the power of $m$ and then taking the $n$ th root of the result.

Applying the Product of Powers Rule

The product of powers rule states that when we multiply two terms with the same base, we add their exponents. In this case, both terms have the base $6$ , so we can apply the product of powers rule to simplify the expression.

6^{\frac{3}{5}} \cdot 6^{\frac{7}{10}} = 6^{\frac{3}{5} + \frac{7}{10}}

Adding Rational Exponents

To add rational exponents, we need to find a common denominator. The least common multiple (LCM) of $5$ and $10$ is $10$ , so we can rewrite the exponents with a common denominator of $10$ .

6^{\frac{3}{5} + \frac{7}{10}} = 6^{\frac{6}{10} + \frac{7}{10}} = 6^{\frac{13}{10}}

Simplifying the Expression

Now that we have simplified the expression, we can rewrite it in exponential notation with rational exponents.

6^{\frac{3}{5}} \cdot 6^{\frac{7}{10}} = 6^{\frac{13}{10}}

Conclusion

In this article, we simplified the expression $6^{\frac{3}{5}} \cdot 6^{\frac{7}{10}}$ using the product of powers rule and rational exponents. We found that the simplified expression is $6^{\frac{13}{10}}$ . This demonstrates the importance of understanding exponents and rational exponents in mathematics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the product of powers rule? The product of powers rule states that when we multiply two terms with the same base, we add their exponents.
How do we add rational exponents? To add rational exponents, we need to find a common denominator and then add the numerators.
What is the least common multiple (LCM)? The LCM is the smallest number that is a multiple of two or more numbers.

Final Answer

The final answer is: $\boxed{6^{\frac{13}{10}}}$

Understanding Exponents and Rational Exponents

Rational Exponents

Applying the Product of Powers Rule

6^{\frac{3}{5}} \cdot 6^{\frac{7}{10}} = 6^{\frac{3}{5} + \frac{7}{10}}

Adding Rational Exponents

To add rational exponents, we need to find a common denominator. The least common multiple (LCM) of $5$ and $10$ is $10$ , so we can rewrite the exponents with a common denominator of $10$ .

6^{\frac{3}{5} + \frac{7}{10}} = 6^{\frac{6}{10} + \frac{7}{10}} = 6^{\frac{13}{10}}

Simplifying the Expression

Now that we have simplified the expression, we can rewrite it in exponential notation with rational exponents.

6^{\frac{3}{5}} \cdot 6^{\frac{7}{10}} = 6^{\frac{13}{10}}

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the product of powers rule?

A: The product of powers rule states that when we multiply two terms with the same base, we add their exponents.

Q: How do we add rational exponents?

A: To add rational exponents, we need to find a common denominator and then add the numerators.

Q: What is the least common multiple (LCM)?

A: The LCM is the smallest number that is a multiple of two or more numbers.

Q: Can we simplify an expression with rational exponents using a calculator?

A: Yes, we can simplify an expression with rational exponents using a calculator. However, it's essential to understand the underlying math to ensure that the calculator is giving us the correct answer.

Q: How do we simplify an expression with multiple terms and rational exponents?

A: To simplify an expression with multiple terms and rational exponents, we need to apply the product of powers rule and the quotient of powers rule. We also need to find a common denominator for the rational exponents.

Q: Can we simplify an expression with rational exponents using a graphing calculator?

A: Yes, we can simplify an expression with rational exponents using a graphing calculator. However, it's essential to understand the underlying math to ensure that the calculator is giving us the correct answer.

Final Answer

The final answer is: $\boxed{6^{\frac{13}{10}}}$