9

Mathematics
Quarter 2 – Module 5
Simplifying Expressions
with Rational Exponents

CO_Q2_Mathematics9 _ Module 5
Mathematics – Grade 9
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 2 – Module 5 : Simplifying Expressions with Rational Exponents
First Edition, 2020

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Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Development Team of the Module Elizabeth C. Depositar, Jasmin

M. Cañares Andrea R. Intal, Juvy G. Delos, Rolando A. Ibayan
Writer:
Remylinda T. Soriano, Angelita Z. Modesto, George B. Borromeo
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 9

Mathematics
Quarter 2 – Module 5:
Simplifying Expressions
with Rational Exponents
Introductory Message

This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners, can continue
your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions, exercises, and
discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-step as you
discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each SLM. This will
tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you need to ask your
facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of the lesson. At the end of
each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check your learning. Answer keys are
provided for each activity and test. We trust that you will be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also provided to our
facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can best help you on your
home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part of this SLM. Use
a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests. And read the instructions
carefully before performing each task.

If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the tasks in this
module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.

Thank you.
 Lesson
Simplifying Expressions
1 with Rational Exponents
You have learned how to use exponents to express powers of numbers. In
this module, you will learn to simplify expressions with rational exponents
applying the laws of exponents on integers provided that the roots indicated in
the denominator exist.

What I Need to Know

LEARNING COMPETENCY:
The learners will be able to:

 simplify expressions with rational exponents. (M9AL-IIe-f-22)

What I Know

Find out how much you already know about the module. Choose the
letter of the best answer. Assume all variables are positive. After taking and
checking this short test, take note of the items that you were not able to answer
correctly and look for the right answer as you go through this module. Write
your answer on a separate answer sheet.
1 1
1. Simplify a2 ∙ a3
1 1 2 5
A. a6 B. a3 C. a5 D. a6
1

2. Find x4
1
x5
1 1 2
A. x B. x20 C. x10 D. x9

CO_Q2_Mathematics9_ Module
 1
2 3
3. Which of the following is the simplified form of (27y ) ? 5

2 1 2 1
A. 3y15 B. 9y5 C. 27y15 D. 27y5
2
3
4. Simplify −8X6
( 1) 3

y2z2
2X12
4 X4 −4 D. −
A.
B. − C.
8X
y31z 8X2 2 y3z
y3z
y3z

3
5. What is (x16)2 in simplified form?
A. x48 B. x32 C. x24 D. x19/2

6. 5−2
5 is written in simplified form as
2 5
A.
1
2 B. −55 C. 52 D. 1
55 2

1 −2 4
X2y
7. ( ) is equal to
yX 4−7
5 6
A. X
9
C. X D. X15
B. X
y10
y4 y12 y9

3
3 2 2
(X y )
8. Simplify
1
2 4
(X−1 y −3)

19 17
X4 X4
19 19 17 17

A. 19 B. 17 C. x y 4 6 D. x 4 y 6
y6 y6

9. Andrew said −
1
4
that x 4will be equal to −x . Is he correct?
A. Yes, he is correct. C. No, it should be 1
1
X4
1
B. No, it should be −x4 D. No, it should be x4
1 2
10. To simplify the expression m4 ∙ m3 , what will you do with their exponents?
A. add B. divide C. multiply D. subtract

CO_Q2_Mathematics9_ Module
 What’s In

A. Simplify the following expressions. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
Remember to apply the laws of exponents

1. 𝑥∙𝑥 6. (5𝑎6𝑏3)0

2. (𝑦2)3 7. (𝑚𝑛4)−1
2 −1
(𝑥 )
3. (2𝑥𝑦 )53
8. 𝑦3

3
𝑛 ( 6𝑎𝑏 )
0

4. 𝑛4 9. 2𝑎4𝑏
−2
𝑥10 4𝑥−2𝑦5
5. 10. ( )
𝑥3 6 −2
8𝑥 𝑦

B. Shade in the circle if the given is an expression with rational exponent(s). Do

this in your answer sheet.

1 2 1
2
 (1)  3  𝑥2𝑦𝑧6  3
𝑥 𝑦5 5 𝑦5
1
1 7𝑚3 3 𝑎 5
 3𝑥5    ( )
𝑎4𝑏−9
𝑛2 𝑏2

CO_Q2_Mathematics9_ Module
 What’s New

(Communication and Critical Thinking)

BODY SIZE AND SURFACE AREA

Mammals include humans and all other animals that are warm-
blooded vertebrates (vertebrates have backbones) with hair. They feed
their young with milk and have a more well-developed brain than other
types of animals.

Why do we need to know the amount of surface that a mammal

presents to its environment? That is because the body heat can be
either lost to or gained from the external environment via the body
surface. The larger the surface area of a mammal, the greater the
potential rate of heat loss or gain. For a mammal struggling to
regulate its body temperature at a relatively constant value, heat lost
to the outside, via the surface, must be replaced by heat obtained
from the breakdown of food.

For example, a mammal’s surface area S (in square centimeters)

can be approximated by the model
2
3 3
𝑆= (𝑘2𝑚)

where 𝑚 is the mass (in grams) of the mammal and k is a constant.

The values of 𝑘 for several mammals are given in the table.

Mammal Mouse Cat Large Cow Rabbit Human

dog
k 9.0 10.0 11.2 9 9.75 11.0

Guide Questions:

1. Why are humans considered mammals?

2. Why should the amount of surface that a mammal presents to its environment
be of interest?
3. What is the formula in determining the surface area of a mammal?
4. Does the formula have expression with rational exponent(s)?
5. If the mass of a cat is 8,000 grams, find the approximate surface area of the cat.
6. What is the surface area of a cow if the approximate mass is 1,000 kilograms?

CO_Q2_Mathematics9_ Module
 What is It

(Communication and Critical Thinking)

Let’s investigate,

The formula for a mammal’s surface area S (in square centimeters) is

2
3 3
𝑆= (𝑘2𝑚)

where 𝑚 is the mass (in grams) of the mammal and k is a constant.

2
3
The expression (𝑘 𝑚 ) has
23 3
rational exponents

Applying the laws of exponents for integers we will have

3 2
( ∙ ) 2 2 2
(1 ∙ ) 1
𝑘 2 3 𝑚 3 = 𝑘 𝑚3 = 𝑘𝑚3
So, the formula can be simplified as
2
𝑆 = 𝑘𝑚3
If a cat has a mass of 8,000 grams and k = 10 (from the table), its
approximate surface area will be
2 2
𝑆 = 10(8000)3 = 10(203)3 = 10(400) = 𝟒, 𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝒄𝒎𝟐

For a cow with a mass of 1,000 kilograms and k = 9,

(Take note: 1,000 kg = 1,000,000 grams or (1 x 106) in scientific notation)
the surface area will be:
2
𝑆 = 9(1 × 106)3 = 9(1 × 104) = 9(10,000) = 𝟗𝟎, 𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝒄𝒎𝟐

Because there are no real even roots of negative numbers, the expressions

1 3 1
−
𝑎2 , 𝑥, 𝑎𝑛𝑑
4 , 𝑦 6

are not real numbers if the variables have negative values.

To simplify matters, we sometimes assume the variables represent only positive numbers when we are work

CO_Q2_Mathematics9_ Module
PROPERTIES OF RATIONAL EXPONENTS

The properties of integral exponents can also be applied to rational exponents.

Let 𝑎 and 𝑏 be positive real numbers and let 𝑚 and 𝑛 be rational numbers. The
following properties have the same names as those listed on properties of integral
exponents, but now apply to rational exponents as illustrated.

PROPERTY EXAMPLE
1 3 1 3
( + )
1. Product of Powers 𝑎 ∙𝑎 =𝑎 = 𝑎2
𝑎𝑚 ∙ 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚+𝑛 2 2 2 2
3 2 3
∙2)
2. Power of Power (𝑎𝑚)𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚𝑛 (42) = 4(2 = 43 = 64
1
2 2 1 2 1 1 1
( ∙ )
3. Power of a Product (𝑎𝑏)𝑚 = 𝑎 𝑏 𝑚 𝑚 (𝑥𝑦 =𝑥 𝑦 =𝑥 𝑦
5) 2 5 2 2 5

65 2 5 1
)
𝑎 𝑚 = 6( = 62 = 36
4. Quotient of Powers = 𝑎𝑚−𝑛, 𝑎≠0 −
2 2
𝑎𝑛 1
62 1 1 1
𝑎 𝑚 𝑎𝑚 8 3 83 (2 3 )3
5. Power of a Quotient 2( ) = 1=
( ) = 𝑚𝑏 ≠0
𝑏 𝑏 1 =
27 3
1 273 (3
1 1 ) 1
3 3

1 25− 2 = = =
6. Negative Exponent 𝑎−𝑚 = , 𝑎≠0 1 1
5
𝑎𝑚 252 (52)2

Illustrative Examples: Use the rules of exponents to simplify the following. Write
the expression with positive exponents. Assume all variables represent positive
real numbers. Do this in your answer sheet.

2 1
1. 2. 2
𝑎3 ∙ 𝑎2 −
𝑎 3
Solution: (Product of Power) Solution:
2 𝟏 (Negative Exponent)
2 1 2 1 4+3 𝟕
( + ( ) 𝑎− 3 =
𝑎3 ∙ 𝑎2 = 𝑎 3 2
) =𝑎 6 = 𝒂𝟔 𝟐
𝒂𝟑
1 2
3. 4. (𝑥3)3
(7𝑚𝑛)2
Solution: (Power of a Product) Solution:
(3 ∙
2 6(Power of Power)
1 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝑥 ) = 𝑥 = 𝒙𝟐
(7𝑚𝑛)2 = 𝟕𝟐𝒎𝟐𝒏𝟐 3 3

3 3
5. 54 6.
() 24
1
𝑎
Solution: (Power of a Quotient) 25
3 𝟑 Solution: (Quotient of Powers)
3
54 𝟓𝟒 24 (3 − 1 ) (15−4) 𝟏𝟏
( )= =2 4 5 =2 20 = 𝟐𝟐𝟎
𝑎 𝟑 1
𝒂𝟒 25

CO_Q2_Mathematics9_ Module
 2
7. 1 8.
−4 (8𝑥9)3
( 2)
3 Solution:
Solution: 2 2 2 (3 ∙ 2) (9 ∙ 2)
(8𝑥9)3 = (23)3 (𝑥9)3 = 2 3 𝑥 3
1 1 𝟏
−4
2 3 4 𝟑𝟒 6 18
( ) = ( )= 𝟏 = 23𝑥 3 = 22𝑥6 = 𝟒𝒙𝟔
3 2
1 1 𝟐𝟒
1 5
9. 3𝑥−2 ∙ 3𝑥2 𝑦− 3 10. 1 −
4
7 −2
(𝑥 𝑦 ) 2

3𝑦− 1
4
𝑥2 𝑦 2
Solution: Solution:
1 1 1+7 ) ( −4+21) 1 5 5 5 5
+ ) (− 0
= 𝑦 3 4 = 9𝑥 𝑦
12 𝑥 [(−2) ∙ (− )] (2 ∙ − )
4 𝑦 4 𝑥 8𝑦 −
2
3 3 = 1 = 1
𝟏𝟕 𝑥2𝑦2 𝑥2 𝑦 2
= 𝟑𝒚𝟏𝟐 5 5 1 5−16 −5−1
(8−2) (−2− ) ( ) ( )
=𝑥 𝑦 2 = 𝑥 𝟏𝟏8 𝑦 2 𝟏
−
= 𝒙 𝟖 𝒚−𝟑 =
𝟏𝟏
𝒙 𝟖 𝒚𝟑

What’s More

(Critical Thinking)

Activity 1: TRY THIS OUT!

Simplify each expression. Write your answers with positive exponents. Assume that
all variables represent positive real numbers. Do this in your answer sheet.

3
3
2 −1 (4𝑚2)
1. (𝑛 4)2 6. )
1 2 1 1
2. (9𝑟4)2 7. (𝑥3𝑦4)2
1 1 4
8.
3. (𝑏2)2 54 ∙ 55
4. 𝑏4 2 3
4
1

(𝑞3)
𝑏2 1 9.
3𝑥4 4𝑥2
5. 4 10 1
9𝑥3 . 2𝑥2

CO_Q2_Mathematics9_ Module
 Activity 2: FACTS ABOUT MAMMALS!

(Collaboration, Creative and Critical Thinking)

Simplify the following expressions with rational exponents. Find your answers in
the rectangle below. SHADE IN the box containing the correct answer in your
answer sheet. When you finish, there will be boxes NOT SHADED. Write the letters
in these boxes in the bottom row of boxes in your answer sheet.

1 1 5
1. 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥2 5. (3𝑥0𝑦5)3

2 1 2 4
2. (𝑥𝑦3)2 6. 𝑥3 ∙ 𝑥3

1 1 1 1
(𝑥− 3)− 6
3. 7. (𝑥2𝑦−3)2
1
1 −
2
𝑥4𝑦 2
3 1
( 𝑥1)
4. 𝑥4𝑦2 8. 𝑦3

THEB ALSI BATS

MAMM 𝒙
𝒙𝟏/𝟒 𝒚𝟏/𝟐
𝒚𝟏/𝟔
𝒚𝟏/𝟔
𝒙 𝒚𝟑/𝟐 𝒙𝟏/𝟐
ARET HEON ANIM
WHIC
𝒙𝟏/𝟒𝒚𝟑/𝟐 𝒚𝟏/𝟑 𝟑𝟓/𝟑𝒚𝟏/𝟑
𝒙𝟐
ALST MMAL STHA
LYMA
𝒙𝟏/𝟐𝒚𝟏/𝟑 𝒙𝒚𝟑/𝟐 𝒙𝟐/𝟗
𝟑𝒙𝒚𝟐/𝟓
HISA NCAN NFLY
TCA
𝒙𝟏/𝟏𝟖 𝒙𝟑/𝟐 𝒙𝟏/𝟐
𝒙𝟖/𝟗

Write the letters here from the UNSHADED boxes. Start from the first row.

CO_Q2_Mathematics9_ Module
 Activity 3: RAT-EXPO MAZE

(Collaboration, Creative and Critical Thinking)

Simplify the given expressions with rational exponents to determine the path from
BEGIN to END. SHADE the box of the correct answer in your answer sheet.

BEGIN 𝑎1/2
𝑎𝑏
𝑎3𝑏2 𝑎
−
2
1

𝟏 1 3 1
(𝒂𝟐)𝟐 𝑎3𝑏2 𝑏−5

𝑎 𝑎3/2 𝑎2/3 −𝑎1/2

𝑏1/2 −𝑏1/5

1
1 3 1 4
3 1
2 1 3 2𝑎2/9𝑏1/7 𝑎4 ∙ 𝑎3 𝑎13/12 𝑎5𝑏2
(2𝑎3𝑏4) () 1
𝑎5

2𝑎𝑏2/7 𝑏2/5 𝑎4/7 1 1

𝑎1/5 𝑎10𝑏8

4 −2
1 5
𝑎5
3 𝑎7/10 ()
𝑎2 1/5
𝑎𝑏 2/5 END
𝑎5 𝑏

What I Have Learned

The laws of exponents for integral exponents may be used in simplifying expressions with rational exponents.
Let m and n be rational numbers and a and b real numbers.

𝑎𝑚 ∙ 𝑎𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚+𝑛 (𝑎𝑚)𝑛 = 𝑎𝑚𝑛 (𝑎𝑏)𝑚 = 𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑚

𝑎 𝑚 𝑎𝑚 1
𝑎𝑚 = 𝑎𝑚−𝑛, 𝑎 ≠ 0 ( ) = 𝑚 𝑏≠0 𝑎−𝑚 = , 𝑎≠0
𝑎𝑛 𝑏 𝑏 𝑎𝑚

CO_Q2_Mathematics9_ Module
 What I Can Do
(Communication, Creative and Critical Thinking)

BIOLOGY CONNECTION
You are studying a Canadian lynx whose mass is twice the
mass of an average house cat. Is its surface area also twice that of
an average house cat?

The formula for a mammal’s surface area S (in square centimeters) is

2
𝑆 = 𝑘𝑚3 where 𝑚 is the mass (in grams) of the mammal and k is a constant

Assessment

Read each item carefully. Choose the letter of the best answer. Assume that all
variables represent positive real numbers. Write your answer on a separate sheet of
paper.

3 1
1. Find 𝑥4 ∙ 𝑥5
19 4 3 1
A. 𝑥20 B. 𝑥9 C. 𝑥20 D. 𝑥5
2. Which of the following mathematical statement is CORRECT?
1
1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 3
− 2
A. 𝑎 5 = −𝑎 5 B. 𝑎 ∙ 𝑎 = 𝑎
5 5 25 C. (𝑎 ) = 𝑎
5 10 D. (𝑎 ) = 𝑎5 5

1
3
𝑤
3. Simplify
𝑤3
2 8
1 1
A. 𝑤 3 B. 𝑤3 C. D.
𝑤8/3 𝑤2/3
1 1
4. What is the simplified form of (𝑦2𝑧 −3) (𝑦𝑧)?
𝑦1/2
A. 𝑦3/2𝑧2/3 B. 𝑦3/2𝑧4/3 C. 𝑦3/2
𝑧1/3 D. 𝑧4/3
−1
5. Simplify the expression with positive exponent.
(2𝑥) 4 1
1 1
A. 1 1 B. 2𝑥 C. 2𝑥4 D.
2 4 𝑥4 2𝑥

CO_Q2_Mathematics9_ Module
 1
2 7 7
6. To simplify (5𝑥 𝑦 ) , what will you do with the exponents?
3 5

A. add B. divide C. multiply D. subtract

𝑚 𝑛 −6
−
7. Which of the following is the simplified form of (𝑎 2 𝑏−3 ) ?
A. 12𝑚 18𝑛 3𝑚 2𝑛 𝑚 𝑛
1
𝑎 𝑏 B. 𝑎 C. 𝑎 3 𝑏2 D. 𝑚 𝑛
𝑏
𝑎 3 𝑏2
2 3
8. To simplify 𝑥 ∙ 𝑥 , what will you do with the exponents?
9 10

A. add B. divide C. multiply D. subtract

9. Find 1 −
4 2
(𝑎−1 𝑏3 ∙ 3 𝑏2)
𝑎 14 14
14 14 5 1 𝑏3 𝑎3
A. 𝑎 3 𝑏 3 B. 𝑎3𝑏3 C. 14 D. 1
𝑎3 𝑏3
4 4 4
𝑎 −
10. Andrea simplified the expression ) 5
and her answer was −𝑎5𝑏5. Is she
(𝑏
correct?
5 5
A. Yes, she is correct. C. No, the correct answer is 𝑎4𝑏4
5 4
4 5
𝑎
B. No, the correct answer is D. No, the correct answer is 𝑏
5
𝑏4 𝑎5 4

Additional Activities

(Collaboration and Critical Thinking)

ERROR ANALYSIS
Explain the error made in simplifying the expression
1 1 1
𝑥 3 𝑥3 𝑥3
( ) =
𝑦 1= 25
8 (𝑦 8 )3 𝑦3

E-Search

To further explore the concept learned today and if it’s possible to connect the
internet, you may visit the following links:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gicD4STzpg
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrJUOKLKlsU
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w79rpKCKlF
1

CO_Q2_Mathematics9_ Module
Answer Key

1
CO_Q2_Mathematics9_ Module
1
CO_Q2_Mathematics9_ Module
References

 Dilao, S. J., & Bernabe, J. G. (2009). Intermediate Algebra.pp 100-

119. Quezon CIty: SD Publicaton.
 Mathematics 9 Learner’s Material, Department of Education
 Oronce, O. A. & Mendoza, M. O. C. (2003). Exploring Mathematics II
Intermediate Algebra, Rex Book Store
 DepEd Project Ease Mathematics Module 6 (downloaded from LRMDS)
 Dugopolski, Mark (2013). Algebra McGraw Hill International Edition pp. 468 –
478. McGraw Hill Education
 https://courses.lumenlearning.com/cuny-hunter-
collegealgebra/chapter/1646/
 https://braingenie.ck12.org/skills/106294
 https://cdn.kutasoftware.com/Worksheets/Alg2/Simplifying%20Rational%
20Exponents.pdf
 https://www.slideshare.net/jmpalero/mathematics-9-radical-expressions-1
 http://oer2go.org/mods/en-
boundless/www.boundless.com/algebra/definition/radical-
expression/index.html
 https://www.mathworksheets4kids.com/search/mysearch.php?zoom_query
=Write+each+expression+in+radical+form%3A
 https://www.npr.org/2020/06/17/878205853/5-radical-schooling-ideas-
for-an-uncertain-fall-and-beyond
 https://www.mesacc.edu/~scotz47781/mat120/notes/exponents/review/re
view.html
 https://classroomclipart.com/clipart/Clipart/Mathematics.htm
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