Chapter 10: Problem 84
Perform the indicated operation and simplify. Assume that all variables represent positive real numbers. $$\sqrt[5]{a^{3} b} \sqrt{a b}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\(a^{11/10} b^{7/10}\)
Step by step solution
01
Express the radicals with fractional exponents
Rewrite each radical expression using fractional exponents. The fifth root can be written as \(\root{5}{a^3 b} = (a^3 b)^{1/5}\), and the square root can be written as \(\root{2}{a b} = (ab)^{1/2}\).
02
Combine the exponents
Using the property of exponents that \((x^m)(x^n) = x^{m+n}\), combine the terms together. This results in: \((a^3 b)^{1/5} (a b)^{1/2} = a^{3/5} b^{1/5} \cdot a^{1/2} b^{1/2}\).
03
Add the exponents of like bases
When multiplying expressions with the same base, add their exponents. Thus, we get: \((a^{3/5} a^{1/2}) (b^{1/5} b^{1/2})\). Add the exponents for \(a\) and \(b\) separately. So: \((a^{3/5 + 1/2}) (b^{1/5 + 1/2})\). Convert fractions to have a common denominator. This gives: \((a^{6/10 + 5/10}) (b^{2/10 + 5/10})\).
04
Simplify the exponents
Simplify the exponent addition to get: \((a^{11/10}) (b^{7/10})\).
05
Rewrite using radicals
Express the solution back in radical form if necessary. Since we started with radicals, we can represent the final expression as: \(\root{10}{a^{11}} \root{10}{b^7}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
fractional exponents
Fractional exponents are another way to express roots. They provide a powerful tool for simplifying complex expressions. Instead of writing \(\root{n}{x}\), we write it using exponents as \(x^{1/n}\).
For example:
For example:
- \(x^{1/2}\) means the square root of \(x\)
- \(x^{1/3}\) means the cube root of \(x\)
- \(x^{m/n}\) means the n-th root of \(x^m\)
properties of exponents
Understanding the properties of exponents is crucial for simplifying expressions. Here's an overview of the most important properties:
- Product of Powers: \(x^m \cdot x^n = x^{m+n}\)
- Quotient of Powers: \(x^m \/ x^n = x^{m-n}\)
- Power of a Power: \((x^m)^n = x^{m\cdot n}\)
- Power of a Product: \( (xy)^m = x^m \cdot y^m \)
- Negative Exponent: \(x^{-m} = 1/x^m\)
- Zero Exponent: \(x^0 = 1\)
combining like terms
Combining like terms is a fundamental technique when simplifying algebraic expressions. Like terms have the same variables raised to the same powers. Here are a few guidelines:
- Add or subtract the coefficients of like terms.
Example: \(3a + 4a = 7a \). - Only combine terms with the same variable and exponent.
Example: \(2a^2 + 3a \) can't be combined. - When dealing with exponents, remember to add the exponents if the bases are the same.
Example: \(a^{1/2} \cdot a^{3/5} = a^{1/2 + 3/5}\).
radical expressions
Radical expressions involve roots of numbers or variables, like square roots or cube roots. They can be challenging to simplify. Here are the main steps to manage them:
- Express radicals using fractional exponents.
Example: \(\sqrt[3]{x^2}\) becomes \(x^{2/3}\). - Use properties of exponents to simplify.
Example: \(\sqrt{a} \cdot \sqrt{b} = \sqrt{ab} = (ab)^{1/2}\). - Combine like terms if possible.
Example: \(\sqrt{a^2b} = |a| \sqrt{b} \).