Math
Fractional exponents follow the same rules as integral exponents. Integral exponents are numbers raised to an integer power.
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Note that most of the laws for exponents are equally valid for negative, and fractional, exponents. In part, that is because negative and fractional exponents are DEFINED so that those laws continue being valid.Using "^" for power, and "*" for multiplication, some of the fundamental rules are: a^b * a^c = a^(b+c) a^b / a^c = a^(b-c) (a^b)^c = a^(bc) a^c * b^c = (ab)^c All of these are valid for any real exponent - including negative and fractional numbers.
It certainly has a meaning. It is only meaningless if you consider powers as repeated multiplication; but the "extended" definition, for negative and fractional exponents, makes a lot of sense, and it is regularly used in math and science.
Math
The definition for polynomials is very restrictive. This is because it will give more information. It excludes radicals, negative exponents, and fractional exponents. When these are included, the expression becomes rational and not polynomial.
Fractional exponents follow the same rules as integral exponents. Integral exponents are numbers raised to an integer power.
Exponentials and radicals are inverse operations of each other. For example, raising a number to the 1/2 power is the same as taking the square root of the number. Both operations involve finding a number raised to a certain power to find the original number.
7 to the 1/3 power
mathematical order of operations stands for: Parentheses Exponents Radicals Absolute Value Multiplication Division Addition Subtraction
Exponents are used in many different contexts and for different, though related, reasons. Exponents are used in scientific notation to represent very large and very small numbers. The main purpose it to strip the number of unnecessary detail and to reduce the risk of errors. Exponents are used in algebra and calculus to deal with exponential or power functions. Many laws in physics, for example, involve powers (positive, negative or fractional) of basic measures. Calculations based on these laws are simper if exponents are used.
Originally they were probably invented as a shortcut for repeated multiplication, just as multiplication is a shortcut for repeated addition. However, it was eventually found that, just as fractional factors, fractional exponents can also be given a reasonable - and very useful - definition.Originally they were probably invented as a shortcut for repeated multiplication, just as multiplication is a shortcut for repeated addition. However, it was eventually found that, just as fractional factors, fractional exponents can also be given a reasonable - and very useful - definition.Originally they were probably invented as a shortcut for repeated multiplication, just as multiplication is a shortcut for repeated addition. However, it was eventually found that, just as fractional factors, fractional exponents can also be given a reasonable - and very useful - definition.Originally they were probably invented as a shortcut for repeated multiplication, just as multiplication is a shortcut for repeated addition. However, it was eventually found that, just as fractional factors, fractional exponents can also be given a reasonable - and very useful - definition.
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I guess you mean "fractional" exponents. That just means that the exponent is not a whole number. Example: x1/4. It makes sense to define such a fractional exponent as equivalent to (in this case) the fourth root of x. As another example, x3/4 is the same as the fourth root of (x3), which is the same as the cube of (the fourth root of x).
In this tutorial we are going to combine two ideas that have been discussed in earlier tutorials: exponents and radicals. We will look at how to rewrite, simplify and evaluate these expressions that contain rational exponents. What it boils down to is if you have a denominator in your exponent, it is your index or root number. So, if you need to, review radicals covered in Tutorial 37: Radicals. Also, since we are working with fractional exponents and they follow the exact same rules as integer exponents, you will need to be familiar with adding, subtracting, and multiplying them. If fractions get you down you may want to go to Beginning Algebra Tutorial 3: Fractions. To review exponents, you can go to Tutorial 23: Exponents and Scientific Notation Part I andTutorial 24: Exponents and Scientific Notation Part II. Let's move onto rational exponents and roots.After completing this tutorial, you should be able to:Rewrite a rational exponent in radical notation.Simplify an expression that contains a rational exponent.Use rational exponents to simplify a radical expression.These are practice problems to help bring you to the next level. It will allow you to check and see if you have an understanding of these types of problems. Math works just like anything else, if you want to get good at it, then you need to practice it. Even the best athletes and musicians had help along the way and lots of practice, practice, practice, to get good at their sport or instrument. In fact there is no such thing as too much practice.To get the most out of these, you should work the problem out on your own and then check your answer by clicking on the link for the answer/discussion for that problem. At the link you will find the answer as well as any steps that went into finding that answer.
Note that most of the laws for exponents are equally valid for negative, and fractional, exponents. In part, that is because negative and fractional exponents are DEFINED so that those laws continue being valid.Using "^" for power, and "*" for multiplication, some of the fundamental rules are: a^b * a^c = a^(b+c) a^b / a^c = a^(b-c) (a^b)^c = a^(bc) a^c * b^c = (ab)^c All of these are valid for any real exponent - including negative and fractional numbers.