SOLUTION: Please help me solve the following question...I'm so confused! While the radical symbol is widely used, converting to rational exponents has advantages. Explain an advantage of ra

Algebra ->  Radicals -> SOLUTION: Please help me solve the following question...I'm so confused! While the radical symbol is widely used, converting to rational exponents has advantages. Explain an advantage of ra      Log On


   

Question 82539: Please help me solve the following question...I'm so confused!
While the radical symbol is widely used, converting to rational exponents has advantages. Explain an advantage of rational exponents over the radical sign. Include in your answer an example of an equation easier to solve as a rational exponent rather then a radical sign.
thank you for your help.
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Exponents can be added or subtracted with the rules
x%5Ea%2Ax%5Eb+=+x%5E%28a%2Bb%29 and
x%5Ea%2Ax%5E%28-b%29+=+x%5E%28a-b%29
Note that a and b can be fractions like 1/2 to denote square root
also
%28x%5Ea%29%5Eb+=+x%5Eab