Example

Simplifying (16x43y56x23y16)12\left(\frac{16 x^{\frac{4}{3}} y^{-\frac{5}{6}}}{x^{-\frac{2}{3}} y^{\frac{1}{6}}}\right)^{\frac{1}{2}} Using Exponent Properties

To simplify the expression (16x43y56x23y16)12\left(\frac{16 x^{\frac{4}{3}} y^{-\frac{5}{6}}}{x^{-\frac{2}{3}} y^{\frac{1}{6}}}\right)^{\frac{1}{2}}, apply the Quotient Property and then the Power Properties.

  1. Apply the Quotient Property inside the parentheses. Subtract the exponents in the denominator from the exponents in the numerator for each base:
  • For xx: 43(23)=43+23=63=2\frac{4}{3} - \left(-\frac{2}{3}\right) = \frac{4}{3} + \frac{2}{3} = \frac{6}{3} = 2
  • For yy: 5616=66=1-\frac{5}{6} - \frac{1}{6} = -\frac{6}{6} = -1

The expression inside the parentheses simplifies to 16x2y116 x^2 y^{-1}, making the entire expression (16x2y1)12(16 x^2 y^{-1})^{\frac{1}{2}}.

  1. Apply the Product to a Power Property. Distribute the outer exponent 12\frac{1}{2} to each factor inside the parentheses: 1612(x2)12(y1)1216^{\frac{1}{2}} \cdot (x^2)^{\frac{1}{2}} \cdot (y^{-1})^{\frac{1}{2}}.

  2. Simplify each factor using the Power Property and radical conversions.

  • 1612=16=416^{\frac{1}{2}} = \sqrt{16} = 4
  • (x2)12=x212=x1=x(x^2)^{\frac{1}{2}} = x^{2 \cdot \frac{1}{2}} = x^1 = x
  • (y1)12=y112=y12(y^{-1})^{\frac{1}{2}} = y^{-1 \cdot \frac{1}{2}} = y^{-\frac{1}{2}}

The result is 4xy124 x y^{-\frac{1}{2}}.

  1. Rewrite with positive exponents. Move the factor with the negative exponent to the denominator: 4xy12\frac{4x}{y^{\frac{1}{2}}}

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Updated 2026-05-01

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