User Manual

- 3 -
Introduction to fractional powers
x
1
2
Y1 x=
x
1
3
Y2 x=
x
3
2
Y3 x=
x
2
3
Y4 x=
b.
c.
Summary:
Explanation:
Investigate 1
Create a table of values for
1
2
Y1 x=
for values of x from 0 to 50.
a. Write down the rows of the table which give whole number values.
b. Write down what you notice.
c. What does the power
1
2
achieve? Write your answer algebraically.
Repeat for
1
3
Y2 x=
. Summarise your findings.
Investigate 2
1. Repeat the investigation above for
3
2
Y3 x=
and
2
3
Y4 x=
2. Explain how the two parts of the fraction work together to give your results.
Follow-up 2
Use your rules to find answers to the following. Use Run-Matrix mode if you need to, but think how
you could have worked it out without a calculator.
a.
1
2
81 =
b.
1
2
1
25
−

=


c.
1
2
25
64

=


d.
1
2
36
25
−

=


e.
2
3
125 =
f.
2
3
125
216
−

=

