Example

Simplifying y17y54\sqrt[4]{\frac{y^{17}}{y^5}} and m13m73\sqrt[3]{\frac{m^{13}}{m^7}}

To simplify higher-order roots of fractions containing identical variable bases, simplify the fraction inside the radicand using the Quotient Property for Exponents before evaluating the root.

y17y54=y3\sqrt[4]{\frac{y^{17}}{y^5}} = |y^3|: Simplify the fraction inside the radical by applying the Quotient Property (aman=amn\frac{a^m}{a^n} = a^{m-n}) to subtract the exponents: y17y5=y12\frac{y^{17}}{y^5} = y^{12}. The expression becomes y124\sqrt[4]{y^{12}}. Since 1212 is a multiple of the index 44, rewrite the radicand as a perfect fourth power: (y3)44\sqrt[4]{(y^3)^4}. Because the index is even and the resulting power is odd, absolute value signs are required. The simplified form is y3|y^3|.

m13m73=m2\sqrt[3]{\frac{m^{13}}{m^7}} = m^2: Simplify the fraction inside the radicand by subtracting the exponents: m13m7=m6\frac{m^{13}}{m^7} = m^6. The expression becomes m63\sqrt[3]{m^6}. Since 66 is a multiple of the index 33, rewrite the radicand as a perfect cube: (m2)33\sqrt[3]{(m^2)^3}. Because the index is odd, no absolute value is needed. The simplified result is m2m^2.

In both examples, reducing the fraction under the radical first yields a perfect power, allowing the radical to be evaluated completely in a single step.

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Updated 2026-05-01

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Ch.8 Roots and Radicals - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

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