[Rational Exponents]

One question that really stumped me this week…..

7) Assuming that x represents a positive integer, state which of the following expressions has no meaning.

After the explanation in class, I realized that:

a) has meaning because….. with a positive integer as x, the integer under the root sign would be negative, and we can have a number times itself 3 times to make a negative.

b) does not have meaning because….. with a positive integer as x, the integer under the root sign would be negative, and we can not have a number times itself 2 times to make a negative.

c) has meaning because… with a positive integer as x, the integer under the root sign would be negative, and we can have a number times itself 9 times to make a negative.

d) does not have meaning because….. with a positive integer as x, , the integer under the root sign would be negative, and we can not have a number times itself 6 times to make a negative.

*Conclusion- An even number + a negative square root = no meaning

Chelsea Davis, Math 10 block A