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Example

Simplifying m6m4\sqrt{\frac{m^6}{m^4}}

Simplify a square root whose radicand is a fraction of variable expressions with the same base, by applying the Quotient Property for Exponents under the radical.

m6m4\sqrt{\frac{m^6}{m^4}}

Step 1 — Simplify the fraction inside the radical. Both the numerator and denominator share the base mm. Divide like bases by subtracting the exponents: m6m4=m64=m2\frac{m^6}{m^4} = m^{6-4} = m^2.

Step 2 — Simplify the square root. Evaluate the square root of the simplified expression. Since the index is even and the exponent inside was even, the principal square root requires an absolute value sign to ensure the result is non-negative:

m2=m\sqrt{m^2} = |m|

The result is m|m|. When the radicand is a fraction of powers with the same base, the Quotient Property for Exponents — aman=amn\frac{a^m}{a^n} = a^{m-n}, where a0a \neq 0 — can be used to reduce the fraction to a single power before taking the square root.

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Updated 2026-05-01

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