Explain rational exponents as extensions of integer exponent rules and as radical notation.
Evaluate a rational exponent by using the denominator as the root index
Problem
Evaluate \(16^{3/2}\).
Big Picture
What this problem is really about
A rational exponent combines a root and a power, with the denominator naming the root and numerator naming the power. We’ll rewrite the expression accordingly, evaluate the principal root first for efficient arithmetic, apply the remaining power, and check the root value before concluding.
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