Question

Which rational exponent represents a square root? A. 1 / 2 B. 3/2 C. 1/3 D. 1/4

Answer 1

Answer: A.) 1/2 is the correct answer

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Answer:

1/2 rational exponent represents a square root.

Therefore, option A is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

As we know that raising to the one-half power i.e. $\frac{1}{2}$ is the same

as taking the square root.

• so $x^{\frac{1}{2}}$ is the same as the square root of $x$.

For example, taking the square root of 4 will determine:

$4^{\frac{1}{2}}$

$\mathrm{Factor\:the\:number:\:}\:4=2^2$

$4^{\frac{1}{2}}=\left(2^2\right)^{\frac{1}{2}}$

$\mathrm{Apply\:exponent\:rule}:\quad \left(a^b\right)^c=a^{bc},\:\quad \:a\ge 0$

$\left(2^2\right)^{\frac{1}{2}}=2^{2\cdot \frac{1}{2}}$

so the expression becomes

$4^{\frac{1}{2}}=2^{2\cdot \:\frac{1}{2}}$

    $=2^1$

    $=2$         ∵ $\mathrm{Apply\:exponent\:rule}:\quad \:a^1=a$

so, 1/2 rational exponent represents a square root.

Therefore, option A is correct.