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College Algebra / Unit 1   Alg 058 short lesson, about 20 seconds

Rational Exponents: the m/n Power

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The idea

A rational exponent of m/n means the nth root raised to the mth power: a^(m/n) = (ⁿ√a)ᵐ.

In practice

16^(3/4) takes ⁴√16 = 2, then cubes it: 2³ = 8. Root first keeps the numbers small.

Where people slip

The denominator is the root; the numerator is the power.

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