Break 72 into its prime factors: 72 = 8·9 = 2³·3² Since the index of the root is 3, write each exponent which is not already a sum of the largest multiple of 3 as a number less than 3. That is The exponent of 2, which is 3, is already a multiple of 3, which is 3 itself, so leave it as is. The exponent of 3, which is 2, is less than 3, so leave it as is. The exponent of y, which is 4, must be written as 3+1, since 3 is the largest multiple of 3 which does not exceed 4. The exponent of 3, which is 11, must be written as 9+2, since 9 is the largest multiple of 11 We know that whe we have a product of exponentials with the same base we add the exponents, so we can reverse that principle: When we have an exponent which is a sum, we may write it as a product of exponentials with the same base: So we have Now we divide each exponent which is a multiple of 3, by the index of the root, 3, and bring the base with the new exponent out in front of the radical: The 23 comes out in front as just 2 The x3 comes out in front as just x The y3 comes out in front as just y The z9 comes out in front as just z3 The factors with an exponent less than the index 3, remain under the radical: Write 32 as 9 and erase the 1 exponent on the y: Answer: 2xyz³·∛9yz² Edwin