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Simplifying expressions using the laws of indicesFractions as indices - Rule 1

Indices show where a number has been multiplied by itself, eg squared or cubed, or to show roots of numbers, eg square root. Some terms with indices can be simplified using the laws of indices.

Part of MathsNumerical skills

Fractions as indices - Rule 1

Here is another rule concerning indices:

\({a^{\frac{1}{n}}} = \sqrt[n]{a}\)

Examples

Simplify \(25^{\frac{1}{2}}\)

Answer

=\(\sqrt{25}\)

\(=5\)

Simplify \(64^{\frac{1}{3}}\)

Answer

\(=\sqrt[3]{64}\)

\(=4\)

Simplify \(\sqrt y \times {y^5}\)

Answer

\(= {y^{\frac{1}{2}}} \times {y^5}\)

\(= {y^{\frac{1}{2} + 5}}\)

Adding the indices gives \(5\frac{1}{2}\) which is \(\frac{11}{2}\).

\(= {y^{\frac{{11}}{2}}}\)

Now try the examples questions below.

Question

Simplify \(125^{\frac{1}{3}}\)

Question

Simplify \(y^{2}\times \sqrt[3]{y}\)