When dealing with radicals and exponents, one must realize that fractional exponents deals directly with radicals. In that sense, sqrt(x) = x^1/2 Now, how to go about doing this:
In a fractional exponent, the numerator represents the actual exponent of the number. So, for x^2/3, the x is being squared.
For the denominator, that deals with the radical. The index, to be exact. The index describes what KIND of radical (or root) is being taken: square, cube, fourth, fifth, and so on. So, for our example x^2/3, x is squared, and that quantity is under a cube root (or a radical with a 3). Here are some more examples to help you understand a bit more: x^6/5 = Fifth root of x^6 x^3/1 = x^3 ^^^Exponential fractions still follow the same rules of simplifying, so... x^2/4 = x^1/2 = sqrt(x)
A. Because you would have to find the common denominator, which in this case is 24. You would change 2 1/3 to 2 8/24, 1 1/8 to 1 3/24 and 1 3/4 to 1 18/24. Add these all up and you get 5 5/24.
