Chapter 10: Problem 83
Simplify. Assume that all variables represent positive real numbers. \(\sqrt[4]{\frac{1}{16} r^{8} t^{20}}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
\( \frac{1}{2} r^2 t^5 \)
Step by step solution
01
- Rewrite the expression with a common base
Rewrite the fraction inside the radical using the property of exponents: \[ 16 = 2^4 \] Hence, \[ \frac{1}{16} = \frac{1}{2^4} = 2^{-4} \] Now, the expression becomes: \[ \frac{1}{16} r^8 t^{20} = 2^{-4} r^8 t^{20} \]
02
- Apply the fourth root to each term separately
Use the property of radicals \[ \frac{\big( ab \big)^n} = \big( a^n \big) \big( b^n \big) \] to simplify: \[ \big( 2^{-4} r^8 t^{20} \big)^{\frac{1}{4}} \]
03
- Simplify each term inside the radical
Apply \[ \big( a^m \big)^n = a^{m \frac{n}} \] to each term: \[ 2^{-4\frac{1}{4}} = 2^{-1} \], \[ r^{8\frac{1}{4}} = r^2 \], and \[ t^{20\frac{1}{4}} = t^5 \]
04
- Rewrite the simplified terms
Combine the simplified terms to get: \[ 2^{-1} r^2 t^5 \]
05
- Simplify the expression
Since \[ 2^{-1} = \frac{1}{2} \], rewrite the expression as: \[ \frac{1}{2} r^2 t^5 \]
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
exponents
Exponents tell us how many times a number, the base, is multiplied by itself. For example, in the expression \(2^4\), the base is 2, and it is multiplied by itself 4 times to get 16. When simplifying expressions with exponents, remember these key rules:
- \(a^m \times a^n = a^{m+n}\)
- \(\frac{a^m}{a^n} = a^{m-n}\)
- \((a^m)^n = a^{m \times n}\)
properties of radicals
Radicals are expressions that involve roots, such as square roots \(\sqrt{}\) or fourth roots \(\sqrt[4]{}\). There are some important properties of radicals that help in simplification:
- \(\sqrt[n]{a} \times \sqrt[n]{b} = \sqrt[n]{a \times b}\)
- \(\sqrt[n]{\frac{a}{b}} = \frac{\sqrt[n]{a}}{\sqrt[n]{b}}\)
- \((a^m)^{1/n} = a^{m/n}\)
simplifying radicals
Simplifying radicals involves reducing the expression inside the radical to its simplest form. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to simplify radicals:
- Factorize the expression inside the radical.
- Use the properties of radicals to separate the terms.
- Simplify each term individually using the property \((a^m)^n = a^{m \times n}\).
fractional exponents
Fractional exponents provide an alternate way to represent roots. For example, the fourth root of \(a\) can be written as \(a^{1/4}\). This can be very helpful in simplification. Some important points to remember about fractional exponents are:
- \((a^m)^{1/n} = a^{m/n}\), so \(\sqrt[n]{a^m} = a^{m/n}\)
- \(a^{m/n} = \sqrt[n]{a^m}\)
- Simplifying a term like \(a^{8/4}\) involves just dividing the exponent, resulting in \(a^2\).