Skip to Main Content
This is a free sample lesson. Sign up for Magoosh to get access to over 200 video lessons.

Fractional Exponents

Can't listen to audio right now? Turn on captions.
Summary
The lesson demystifies the concept of fractional exponents by establishing a clear link between roots and exponents, providing a foundational understanding for GRE exam preparation.
  • Fractional exponents represent roots, with the denominator indicating the root's degree and the numerator indicating the power to which the root is raised.
  • The process of converting a fractional exponent into a root involves identifying the root degree from the denominator and the power from the numerator, which can be applied in either order during calculations.
  • Strategic advice for calculations includes simplifying expressions by taking roots before applying powers to avoid dealing with unnecessarily large numbers.
  • Examples and practice problems illustrate how to apply these concepts to solve equations involving fractional exponents, enhancing problem-solving skills for the GRE.
  • The rules for fractional exponents apply to positive numbers and zero, with an additional note that bases can be negative if the root (denominator of the exponent) is odd.
Chapters
00:03
Introduction to Fractional Exponents
00:26
Understanding Roots through Fractional Exponents
03:33
Strategies for Calculating with Fractional Exponents
04:47
Practical Application and Problem Solving

Next Lesson

Powers and Roots