Example

Simplifying u45u25u135\frac{u^{\frac{4}{5}} \cdot u^{-\frac{2}{5}}}{u^{-\frac{13}{5}}} and (27x45y16x15y56)13\left(\frac{27 x^{\frac{4}{5}} y^{\frac{1}{6}}}{x^{\frac{1}{5}} y^{-\frac{5}{6}}}\right)^{\frac{1}{3}} Using Exponent Properties

Apply the properties of exponents to simplify these two expressions involving rational powers.

u45u25u135=u3\frac{u^{\frac{4}{5}} \cdot u^{-\frac{2}{5}}}{u^{-\frac{13}{5}}} = u^3:

  1. Apply the Product Property in the numerator. Add the exponents: u45+(25)=u25u^{\frac{4}{5} + \left(-\frac{2}{5}\right)} = u^{\frac{2}{5}}. The expression becomes u25u135\frac{u^{\frac{2}{5}}}{u^{-\frac{13}{5}}}.
  2. Apply the Quotient Property. Subtract the denominator's exponent from the numerator's exponent: u25(135)=u25+135=u155u^{\frac{2}{5} - \left(-\frac{13}{5}\right)} = u^{\frac{2}{5} + \frac{13}{5}} = u^{\frac{15}{5}}.
  3. Simplify. 155=3\frac{15}{5} = 3, so the result is u3u^3.

(27x45y16x15y56)13=3x15y13\left(\frac{27 x^{\frac{4}{5}} y^{\frac{1}{6}}}{x^{\frac{1}{5}} y^{-\frac{5}{6}}}\right)^{\frac{1}{3}} = 3 x^{\frac{1}{5}} y^{\frac{1}{3}}:

  1. Apply the Quotient Property inside the parentheses. Subtract exponents for like bases:
  • For xx: 4515=35\frac{4}{5} - \frac{1}{5} = \frac{3}{5}
  • For yy: 16(56)=16+56=66=1\frac{1}{6} - \left(-\frac{5}{6}\right) = \frac{1}{6} + \frac{5}{6} = \frac{6}{6} = 1 The expression becomes (27x35y1)13(27 x^{\frac{3}{5}} y^1)^{\frac{1}{3}}.
  1. Apply the Product to a Power Property. Distribute the outer exponent: 2713(x35)13(y1)1327^{\frac{1}{3}} \cdot (x^{\frac{3}{5}})^{\frac{1}{3}} \cdot (y^1)^{\frac{1}{3}}.
  2. Simplify each factor.
  • 2713=273=327^{\frac{1}{3}} = \sqrt[3]{27} = 3
  • (x35)13=x3513=x315=x15(x^{\frac{3}{5}})^{\frac{1}{3}} = x^{\frac{3}{5} \cdot \frac{1}{3}} = x^{\frac{3}{15}} = x^{\frac{1}{5}}
  • The yy factor simplifies to y13y^{\frac{1}{3}}.

The final result is 3x15y133 x^{\frac{1}{5}} y^{\frac{1}{3}} since all powers are positive.

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Updated 2026-05-01

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