A rational exponent contains both an integer exponent and a root (the number that must be multiplied by itself a given times to equal a given value). The root is at the denominator and the integer exponent is at the numerator. To simplify expressions with rational exponents, you first take the n root of the radicand and then simplify the exponent.
First example
(16)^5/4
First, you find the 4th root of 16
4√16=2
Then, you multiply 2 by itself 5 times
(2)^5
Now this gives you the answer
32
Second example
(4^1/2)
First, you find the square root of 4
√4=2
Then you get
4^1
Finally you get the answer
4
Citation
http://www.mathwords.com/r/rational_exponents.htm
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