Unit-fraction exponents and radicals

The  exercise appears under the Algebra I Math Mission. This exercise practices evaluating numerical expressions with unit-fraction exponents or radicals, and convert between the two forms of representations.

Types of Problems
There is one type of problem in this exercise:


 * 1) Find the equivalent expression: This problem has a numerical expression involving a rational exponent with fractions. The student is asked to find the expression that matches the original and select it from the multiple choice list. Unit-fraction exponents and radicals.PNG

Strategies
Knowledge of the exponent rules, including negative and fraction values, is sufficient to perform the exercise accurately and efficiently.
 * 1) Negative exponents mean to reciprocate (or find the inverse/opposite), and a fraction like $$\frac{1}{n}$$ means to find the $$n\text{th}$$ root.
 * 2) The problems at this level tend to be a straight radical with no additional powers mixed in, although there is a possibility of needing to find the reciprocal of the answer.

Real-life Applications

 * 1) An ability to work well with exponents of all types is an advantage in calculus where derivatives can be made simpler via the "power rule."