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: Problem 1
Which strategy would you use to solve each of the following problems? Justify your answer. (You do not need to solve them.)
$${\left\{\begin{matrix}2x-6y=24 \\ x+4y=16 \end{matrix}\right.}$$
$${\left\{\begin{matrix}4x-3y=15 \\ 2x+9y=32 \end{matrix}\right.}$$
Problem 2
Greg wants to buy a new car. He looks at two different models. Car A costs $40,000, and he estimates it will cost $2,000 per year for gas and maintenance. Car B costs $60,000, and he estimates it will cost about $1,000 per year for gas and maintenance. Under what circumstances would it make sense for Greg to buy Car A? Under what circumstances would it make sense for Greg to buy Car B? Justify your answer.


aligns: no