Exponents & Roots

Simplify powers, square roots, cube roots and radicals, and convert to scientific notation, with the exponent laws named at each step. Try “simplify sqrt(72)”.

Try an example:

How the Exponents & Roots works

  1. Factor the number to pull out perfect squares or cubes (72 = 36 × 2).
  2. Apply the exponent or root law: √(36 × 2) = √36 × √2.
  3. Simplify: 6√2, and give a decimal approximation if you need one.

Frequently asked questions

How do you simplify a square root?

Find the largest perfect square that divides the number, take its root outside the radical and leave the rest inside.

What is a negative exponent?

It means a reciprocal: a⁻ⁿ = 1 ÷ aⁿ, so 2⁻³ = 1/8.

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