Fractional exponents indicate a radical. So:
x^(y/z) is equal to the "z"th root of, x to the y power. So, 2^(1/2) means the 2nd, or square, root of 2 to the 1 power, or 2. That simplifies to the square root of two, or root 2.
2 ^ (6/7) means the 7th root of 2 to the 6th power (which is 64).
Fractional exponents are often used as a substitute for radicals, when using a computer, because many computers cannot put a "z"th root.
Fractional exponents indicate a radical. So:
x^(y/z) is equal to the "z"th root of, x to the y power. So, 2^(1/2) means the 2nd, or square, root of 2 to the 1 power, or 2. That simplifies to the square root of two, or root 2.
2 ^ (6/7) means the 7th root of 2 to the 6th power (which is 64).
Fractional exponents are often used as a substitute for radicals, when using a computer, because many computers cannot put a "z"th root.
