# Thread: Powers that are fractions?

1. ## Powers that are fractions?

I have a question I'm not sure how to answer because I've never seen a power that is a fraction before. I need to simplify;

x^(1/3) times x^(2/3)

After some googling I think the fraction represents a cubed root, so the answer should be;

cubed root of (x times x^2)

Is that right?

2. ## Re: Powers that are fractions?

Yes.

$\sqrt[3]{x} \sqrt[3]{x^2} = \sqrt[3]{x*x^2} = x$ (for real x).

3. ## Re: Powers that are fractions?

Originally Posted by Badgers
I have a question I'm not sure how to answer because I've never seen a power that is a fraction before. I need to simplify;

x^(1/3) times x^(2/3)

After some googling I think the fraction represents a cubed root, so the answer should be;

cubed root of (x times x^2)

Is that right?
The index laws hold for powers that are ANY numbers, so you can use \displaystyle \begin{align*} a^m \cdot a^n = a^{m + n} \end{align*} to simplify.

\displaystyle \begin{align*} x^{\frac{1}{3}} \cdot x^{\frac{2}{3}} &= x^{\frac{1}{3} + \frac{2}{3}} \\ &= x^1 \\ &= x \end{align*}

4. ## Re: Powers that are fractions?

Oh, rad! You guys are awesome! Thanks