Chapter 7: Problem 52
Rationalize each denominator. Assume that all variables represent positive numbers. $$ \frac{\sqrt[5]{3 a^{4}}}{\sqrt[5]{2 b^{7}}} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
\( \frac{\root{5}{48 a^4 b^{28}}}{2 b^7} \)
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Problem
The given expression is \(\frac{\root{5}{3 a^{4}}}{\root{5}{2 b^{7}}}\). The problem requires rationalizing the denominator.
02
Determine What to Multiply By
To rationalize the denominator, multiply both the numerator and the denominator by \(\root{5}{(2 b^7)^4}\).
03
Multiply Numerator and Denominator
Multiplying both the numerator and the denominator: \(\frac{\root{5}{3 a^4} \times \root{5}{(2 b^7)^4}}{\root{5}{2 b^7} \times \root{5}{(2 b^7)^4}} = \frac{\root{5}{3 a^4 \times (2 b^7)^4}}{\root{5}{(2 b^7)^5}} \).
04
Simplify the Denominator
Simplify the denominator: \(\root{5}{(2 b^7)^5} = 2 b^7\).
05
Simplify the Numerator
Simplify the numerator: \(\root{5}{3 a^4 \times (2 b^7)^4} = \root{5}{3 a^4 \times 16 b^{28}} = \root{5}{48 a^4 b^{28}}\).
06
Final Expression
Putting it all together, the final expression is \(\frac{\root{5}{48 a^4 b^{28}}}{2 b^7}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
radicals
A radical is a symbol that denotes the root of a number. For example, the square root of a number is represented as \(\root{2}{x}\) or simply \( \sqrt{x} \). This can be extended to cube roots \( \root{3}{x} \) or in this case, fifth roots, \( \root{5}{x} \).
When working with radicals, it’s important to understand how they operate:
When working with radicals, it’s important to understand how they operate:
- Radicals can be simplified by factoring out perfect roots.
- You can multiply radicals with the same index (e.g., \( \root{n}{a} \times \root{n}{b} = \root{n}{ab} \)).
- Rationalizing the denominator involves getting rid of radicals in the denominator.
rationalizing the denominator
Rationalizing the denominator means removing any radical expressions from the denominator of a fraction. Here are the steps involved:
- Identify the Radical: First, recognize the radical in the denominator. In our example, it's \( \root{5}{2 b^7} \).
- Determine What to Multiply By: Multiply the numerator and the denominator by a term that will eliminate the radical. For example, we multiply by \( \root{5}{ (2 b^7)^4 } \) to make the denominator a perfect fifth power.
- Perform the Multiplication: Both numerator and denominator are multiplied. This translates to multiplying radicals properly.
- Simplify: The denominator simplifies into a rational number because the powers now match the radical's index (fifth root in this case).
exponents
Exponents represent how many times a number (the base) is multiplied by itself. For instance, in \( a^4 \), the base is \a\ and the exponent is \4\—meaning \a\ is multiplied by itself 4 times.
When dealing with expressions involving radicals and exponents, it’s crucial to understand their properties:
When dealing with expressions involving radicals and exponents, it’s crucial to understand their properties:
- Multiplication of exponents: \( a^m \times a^n = a^{m+n} \).
- Power of a power: \( (a^m)^n = a^{mn} \).
- Division of exponents: \( a^m / a^n = a^{m-n} \).
- When the same base is raised to a fractional exponent: \( a^{m/n} = \root{n}{a^m} \)