standard_description: Explain how the definition of the meaning of rational exponents follows from extending the properties of integer exponents to those values, allowing for a notation for radicals in terms of rational exponents. For example, we define 5^(1/3) to be the cube root of 5 because we want (5^(1/3))^(3) = 5(^(1/3))^(3) to hold, so (5^(1/3))^(3) must equal 5.
problem_activity: Task
In each of the following problems, a number is given. If possible, determine whether the given number is rational or irrational. In some cases, it may be impossible to determine whether the given number is rational or irrational. Justify your answers.
$ 4 + \sqrt{7} $
$ \displaystyle \frac{\sqrt{45}}{\sqrt{5}} $
$ \displaystyle \frac{6}{\pi} $
$ \sqrt{2} + \sqrt{3} $
$ \displaystyle \frac{2 + \sqrt{7}}{2a + \sqrt{7a^2}}$, where $a$ is a positive integer
$ x + y$, where $x$ and $y$ are irrational numbers


aligns: no