# Exponents help - I Think?

1. Dec 4, 2006

### shortd81

This is the formual
Points = (PrizePool^1/2) / (PlaceFinished^3/5)

Here are two examples:

$$266.08=(70,800^{1/2})/(1^{3/5})$$
$$137.64=(70,800 ^{1/2})/(3^{3/5})$$

Now I got the first part because it's basically a the square root of the the number. But how do I do the 3/5 one?

Last edited by a moderator: Dec 4, 2006
2. Dec 4, 2006

take the fifth root of the number and then cube it.

3. Dec 4, 2006

### shortd81

How do you do that honestly?

4. Dec 4, 2006

what do you mean by how ?

5. Dec 4, 2006

I can't say I understand your problem, but, as courtrigrad said, $$a^{m/n}=\sqrt[n]{a^m}$$, I hope that comes in handy.

6. Dec 4, 2006

### shortd81

how do you cube it?

7. Dec 4, 2006

### HallsofIvy

Do you know what "cube" MEANS? Just multiply it by itself twice: a3= a*a*a. It's much harder to find the fifth root! The simplest way to do a problem like that is to use a calulator that allows exponents: The TI calculators, for example, have a "^" key. $3^{3/5}$ is 3 "^" (3/5) on such a calculator.
You can also do it using the "log" and "10x" keys:
[tex]3^{3/5}= 10^{(3/5)log 3}[/itex]

8. Dec 4, 2006

### shortd81

So is it possible by using a regular calculator?

9. Dec 4, 2006

### CRGreathouse

If you have a root key or a log key, yes.

10. Dec 5, 2006

### HallsofIvy

What do you mean by a "regular calculator"? AS CRGreathouse said, if your calculator as either a general "root" key, usually with a "xy" or "^" on it, or if it has a "log" (typically with 10x as "second function") then you can do such calculations, yes.