7d)++Solving+rational+exponent+equations

In this section you will learn how to solve rational exponent equations. Out of all the sections this is one of the easier ones. If you have an equation such as- all you have to do is isolate the exponent or radical term. Then you raise both sides of the equation to the reciprocal of the exponent and you are done unless there are two different x terms (example: ). You have three choices if this happens. 1). Plug the equation into the quadratic formula. 2) Factor the equation. 3). Complete the Square if it is one. Following this procedure will give you the correct answer for your variable. If the variable is inside a square root then you square both sides. When finding the even square root of a variable, after raising both sides of the equation to the reciprocal of the exponent you separate the answer to two answers, positive and negative. Aslo, when solving rational exonent equations, you may get one or two answers that do not fit the problem. These solutions are called extranious solutions. The only way to check for extraneous solutions is to plug the two answers you recieved into the problem and then solve. If the final solution is not true, then the orgional solution is extraneous. If both solutions you recieve are extranious, then the problem has no real solutions.

 EXAMPLE 1:

EXAMPLE 2:

EXAMPLE 3: EXAMPLE 4:

websites: http://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/col_algebra/col_alg_tut19_radeq.htm http://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/col_algebra/col_alg_tut19_radeq_ans.htm http://www.mathwarehouse.com/radical-equations/how-to-solve-radical-equations.php

Here is a [|tutorial] introducing rational exponents Here is a simple [|tutorial] on how to solve rational exponent equations

Here is student made tutorial