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It appears that i'm not quite sure anymore how to write roots as exponents, and how to work with them. I know $\sqrt[3]{a}$ is written $a^{\frac{1}{3}}$, but I don't know how to handle them in things like fractures ($\frac{a^{\frac{1}{3}}}{a}$ appears to be $\frac{1}{a^\frac{2}{3}}$), or what to think of when seeing something like $a^\frac{2}{3}$

It would be nice if you could give me a brief, but as complete as possible description on this :)

thank you.

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    $a^{\frac{m}{n}}$ is just ${}^n\sqrt{a^m}$.2012-09-26
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    Take $m=1=n$ and $a=-1$. $(-1)^{\frac{2}{2}} = (-1)^1 = -1$ whereas $\sqrt{(-1)^{2}} = \sqrt{1} = 1$2012-09-26
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    @KevinCarlson: You can typeset a non-square root with `\sqrt[n]{a^m}`.2012-09-26

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$\frac{a^{1/3}}{a}=a^{1/3-1}=a^{-2/3}=(a^{2/3})^{-1}=\frac{1}{a^{2/3}}$

Hope this helps!

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    makes perfect sense. though still ~ is there a way to think of it as a root?2012-09-26
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    Exactly as Kevin Carlson says :)2012-09-26
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In general, you have $x^{\frac{a}{b}}=(\sqrt[b]{x})^{a}$ for positive integers $a,b\in\mathbb{N}$ and $x\geq0$.

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    i wasn't (even) aware of the fact that $\sqrt[b]{x^a} = \sqrt[b]{x}^a$... jeez i really got a problem with my basics x.x2012-09-26