Example

Simplifying 361236^{\frac{1}{2}}, 8138^{\frac{1}{3}}, and 161416^{\frac{1}{4}}

Evaluate three numerical expressions with rational exponents of the form 1n\frac{1}{n} by rewriting them in radical form and simplifying.

3612=636^{\frac{1}{2}} = 6: Rewrite the rational exponent as a square root: 3612=3636^{\frac{1}{2}} = \sqrt{36}. Since 62=366^2 = 36, the square root simplifies to 66.

813=28^{\frac{1}{3}} = 2: Rewrite the rational exponent as a cube root: 813=838^{\frac{1}{3}} = \sqrt[3]{8}. Recognize that 88 is a perfect cube because 23=82^3 = 8. Therefore, 83=2\sqrt[3]{8} = 2.

1614=216^{\frac{1}{4}} = 2: Rewrite as a fourth root: 1614=16416^{\frac{1}{4}} = \sqrt[4]{16}. Since 24=162^4 = 16, the fourth root simplifies to 22.

These examples demonstrate how converting rational exponents to radicals allows numerical values to be simplified by finding the root that corresponds to the denominator of the exponent.

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Updated 2026-05-01

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