Example

Simplifying x43x13\frac{x^{\frac{4}{3}}}{x^{\frac{1}{3}}}, y34y14\frac{y^{\frac{3}{4}}}{y^{\frac{1}{4}}}, and z23z53\frac{z^{\frac{2}{3}}}{z^{\frac{5}{3}}} Using the Quotient Property with Rational Exponents

Apply the Quotient Property for Exponents to simplify three quotients in which both the numerator and denominator have fractional exponents on the same base. The rule aman=amn\frac{a^m}{a^n} = a^{m-n} works the same way when mm and nn are fractions — subtract the exponents and simplify.

x43x13=x\frac{x^{\frac{4}{3}}}{x^{\frac{1}{3}}} = x: Both terms share the base xx. Subtract the exponents: x4313x^{\frac{4}{3} - \frac{1}{3}}. Since the denominators match, subtract the numerators: 4313=33=1\frac{4}{3} - \frac{1}{3} = \frac{3}{3} = 1. The result is x1=xx^1 = x.

y34y14=y12\frac{y^{\frac{3}{4}}}{y^{\frac{1}{4}}} = y^{\frac{1}{2}}: Both terms share the base yy. Subtract the exponents: y3414y^{\frac{3}{4} - \frac{1}{4}}. Simplify: 3414=24=12\frac{3}{4} - \frac{1}{4} = \frac{2}{4} = \frac{1}{2}. The result is y12y^{\frac{1}{2}}.

z23z53=1z\frac{z^{\frac{2}{3}}}{z^{\frac{5}{3}}} = \frac{1}{z}: Both terms share the base zz. Subtract the exponents: z2353z^{\frac{2}{3} - \frac{5}{3}}. Simplify: 2353=33=1\frac{2}{3} - \frac{5}{3} = \frac{-3}{3} = -1, giving z1z^{-1}. Since a negative exponent means the expression is not in simplest form, rewrite using an=1ana^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}: z1=1zz^{-1} = \frac{1}{z}.

Parts ⓐ and ⓑ yield positive exponents directly, while part ⓒ produces a negative exponent that requires one additional step — applying the negative exponent rule to write the final answer with only positive exponents. With fractional exponents, the subtraction step involves subtracting fractions (here the denominators already match), and the resulting fraction may simplify to a whole number or remain fractional.

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Updated 2026-05-01

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