Rules of Roots Combined Practice Problems & Exercises

Master combining powers and roots with step-by-step practice problems. Learn the 5 essential properties of radicals through interactive exercises and solutions.

πŸ“šPractice Combining Powers and Roots
  • Apply the five fundamental properties of roots and radicals
  • Convert between radical notation and exponential form using fractional exponents
  • Simplify products and quotients of square roots and higher-order radicals
  • Solve nested root expressions using the root of a root property
  • Combine multiple operations involving powers, roots, and basic arithmetic
  • Master the order of operations when working with radicals and exponents

Understanding Rules of Roots Combined

Complete explanation with examples

Understanding the combination of powers and roots is important and necessary.

First property:
a=a12\sqrt a=a^{ 1 \over 2}
Second property:
amn=amn\sqrt[n]{a^m}=a^{\frac{m}{n}}
Third property:
(aΓ—b)=aΓ—b\sqrt{(a\times b)}=\sqrt{a}\times \sqrt{b}

Fourth property:
ab=ab\sqrt{\frac{a}{b}}=\frac{\sqrt{a}}{\sqrt{b}}

Fifth property: Β 
amn=anΓ—m\sqrt[n]{\sqrt[m]{a}}=\sqrt[n\times m]{a}

Detailed explanation

Practice Rules of Roots Combined

Test your knowledge with 68 quizzes

Insert the corresponding expression:

\( \frac{y^9}{y^3}= \)

Examples with solutions for Rules of Roots Combined

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

Solve the following exercise:

25x4= \sqrt{25x^4}=

Step-by-Step Solution

In order to simplify the given expression, apply the following three laws of exponents:

a. Definition of root as an exponent:

an=a1n \sqrt[n]{a}=a^{\frac{1}{n}}

b. Law of exponents for an exponent applied to terms in parentheses:

(aβ‹…b)n=anβ‹…bn (a\cdot b)^n=a^n\cdot b^n

c. Law of exponents for an exponent raised to an exponent:

(am)n=amβ‹…n (a^m)^n=a^{m\cdot n}

Begin by converting the fourth root to an exponent using the law of exponents mentioned in a.:

25x4=↓(25x4)12= \sqrt{25x^4}= \\ \downarrow\\ (25x^4)^{\frac{1}{2}}=

We'll continue, using the law of exponents mentioned in b. and apply the exponent to each factor in the parentheses:

(25x4)12=2512β‹…(x4)12 (25x^4)^{\frac{1}{2}}= \\ 25^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot(x^4)^{{\frac{1}{2}}}

We'll continue, using the law of exponents mentioned in c. and perform the exponent applied to the term with an exponent in parentheses (the second factor in the multiplication):

2512β‹…(x4)12=2512β‹…x4β‹…12=2512β‹…x2=25β‹…x2=5x2 25^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot(x^4)^{{\frac{1}{2}}} = \\ 25^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot x^{4\cdot\frac{1}{2}}=\\ 25^{\frac{1}{2}}\cdot x^{2}=\\ \sqrt{25}\cdot x^2=\\ \boxed{5x^2}

In the final steps, we first converted the power of one-half applied to the first factor in the multiplication back to the fourth root form, again, according to the definition of root as an exponent mentioned in a. (in the reverse direction) and then calculated the known fourth root of 25.

Therefore, the correct answer is answer a.

Answer:

5x2 5x^2

Video Solution
Exercise #2

Solve the following problem:

(34)Γ—(32)= \left(3^4\right)\times\left(3^2\right)=

Step-by-Step Solution

In order to solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the base and exponents

  • Step 2: Use the formula for multiplying powers with the same base

  • Step 3: Simplify the expression by applying the relevant exponent rule

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: The given expression is (34)Γ—(32) (3^4) \times (3^2) . Here, the base is 3, and the exponents are 4 and 2.

Step 2: Apply the exponent rule, which states that when multiplying powers with the same base, we add the exponents:
amΓ—an=am+n a^m \times a^n = a^{m+n}

Step 3: Using the rule identified in Step 2, we add the exponents 4 and 2:
34Γ—32=34+2=36 3^4 \times 3^2 = 3^{4+2} = 3^6

Therefore, the simplified form of the expression is 36 3^6 .

Answer:

36 3^6

Video Solution
Exercise #3

Choose the largest value

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's begin by calculating the numerical value of each of the roots in the given options:

25=516=49=3 \sqrt{25}=5\\ \sqrt{16}=4\\ \sqrt{9}=3\\ We can determine that:

5>4>3>1 Therefore, the correct answer is option A

Answer:

25 \sqrt{25}

Video Solution
Exercise #4

Simplify the following equation:

53Γ—24Γ—52Γ—23= 5^3\times2^4\times5^2\times2^3=

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's simplify the expression 53Γ—24Γ—52Γ—23 5^3 \times 2^4 \times 5^2 \times 2^3 using the rules for exponents. We'll apply the product of powers rule, which states that when multiplying like bases, you can add the exponents.

  • Step 1: Focus on terms with the same base.
    Combine 53 5^3 and 52 5^2 . Since both terms have the base 55, we apply the rule amΓ—an=am+na^m \times a^n = a^{m+n}: 53Γ—52=53+2=55 5^3 \times 5^2 = 5^{3+2} = 5^5

  • Step 2: Combine 24 2^4 and 23 2^3 . Similarly, for the base 22: 24Γ—23=24+3=27 2^4 \times 2^3 = 2^{4+3} = 2^7

After simplification, the expression becomes:
55Γ—27 5^5 \times 2^7

Answer:

55Γ—27 5^5\times2^7

Video Solution
Exercise #5

Solve the following exercise:

16β‹…1= \sqrt{16}\cdot\sqrt{1}=

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's start by recalling how to define a root as a power:

an=a1n \sqrt[n]{a}=a^{\frac{1}{n}}

Next, we will remember that raising 1 to any power will always yield the result 1, even the half power of the square root.

In other words:

16β‹…1=↓16β‹…12=16β‹…112=16β‹…1=16=4 \sqrt{16}\cdot\sqrt{1}= \\ \downarrow\\ \sqrt{16}\cdot\sqrt[2]{1}=\\ \sqrt{16}\cdot 1^{\frac{1}{2}}=\\ \sqrt{16} \cdot1=\\ \sqrt{16} =\\ \boxed{4} Therefore, the correct answer is answer D.

Answer:

4 4

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 5 basic rules for combining roots and powers?

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The five essential rules are: 1) √a = a^(1/2), 2) ∜[n]{a^m} = a^(m/n), 3) √(aΓ—b) = √a Γ— √b, 4) √(a/b) = √a / √b, and 5) ∜[n]{∜[m]{a}} = ∜[nΓ—m]{a}. These properties allow you to convert between radical and exponential notation and simplify complex expressions.

How do you convert square roots to exponential form?

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To convert square roots to exponential form, use the rule √a = a^(1/2). For higher-order roots, use ∜[n]{a^m} = a^(m/n) where n is the index and m is the power of the radicand.

When can you multiply square roots together?

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You can multiply square roots with the same index using the property √a Γ— √b = √(aΓ—b). This works for any order of roots as long as they have the same index, such as ∜[3]{x} Γ— ∜[3]{y} = ∜[3]{xy}.

What is the correct order of operations with roots and powers?

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Follow this hierarchy: 1) Grouping symbols (parentheses, brackets), 2) Powers and roots (solved left to right when at same level), 3) Multiplication and division, 4) Addition and subtraction. Always solve operations inside radicals first before taking the root.

How do you simplify nested radicals like √(√a)?

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Use the root of a root property: ∜[n]{∜[m]{a}} = ∜[nΓ—m]{a}. For example, √(∜[3]{8}) = ∜[2Γ—3]{8} = ∜[6]{8}. Multiply the indices together to create a single radical expression.

Can you divide square roots the same way you multiply them?

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Yes, you can divide roots with the same index using √(a/b) = √a / √b. This property works in both directions, so you can either separate a quotient under one radical or combine separate radicals into one quotient.

What common mistakes should I avoid when combining roots and powers?

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Common mistakes include: forgetting that √(a+b) β‰  √a + √b, mixing up the order of operations, incorrectly applying properties to roots with different indices, and not simplifying expressions completely. Always check if roots can be simplified before applying other operations.

How do you solve expressions with both positive and negative roots?

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When dealing with even roots (like square roots), remember that √a² = |a| (absolute value). For odd roots like cube roots, ∜[3]{a³} = a without absolute value signs. Always consider the domain restrictions when working with real numbers.

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