Grade 11 · Theory
Rational exponents
Exponents and surds · about 3 min
Visual overview: Rational exponents1 MIN READ
2 study sections · pause after each one and recall the key ideaGrade 11 extends the exponent laws to fractional powers, linking exponents and roots permanently.
Key points- a^(m/n) = ⁿ√(aᵐ) — the denominator is the root, the numerator is the power.
- All the Grade 10 laws still apply to fractional exponents.
- Write roots as exponents to simplify awkward expressions.
- Negative exponents still mean reciprocals.
- Rational exponent — an exponent written as a fraction.
EXAM TIP
convert every root to a fractional exponent at the start; the laws then handle the rest mechanically.