How do you rationalize a demoninator if the denominator is a cube root

  • Thread starter Thread starter mileena
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Cube Root
Click For Summary
To rationalize a denominator with a cube root, multiply both the numerator and denominator by the cube root that will eliminate the radical. For example, to simplify x/(∛28), multiply by ∛28/∛28, resulting in (x∛28)/28. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding how to manipulate exponents when dealing with cube roots. Participants clarify that cubing a cube root returns the original number under the radical. The conversation concludes with a confirmation of the correct approach to rationalizing cube roots.
mileena
Messages
129
Reaction score
0
Hi, I know how to rationalize a denominator when it is a square root monomial or a square root binomial (through conjugation).

For example, for a square-root monomial:

5/√25 =

[5(√25)]/
[(√25)(√25)] =

[5(√25)]/25 =

(√25)/5 =

1 or -1and, for a square-root binomial:

5/(5 + √25) =

5(5 - √25)/
[(5 + √25)(5 - √25)] =

[5(5 - √25)]/
25 -25 =

0/0 [undefined] or 50/0 [undefined] But what if the denominator is a cube root:

x/(3√11) ?

How do you simplify this (assuming the denominator isn't a perfect cube)? I didn't get a question similar to this correct on my assessment test.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
The example cube root you ask for seem not tricky because 27 already is a cube. The cubed root of 27 is 3, so the denominator is already rationalized.

How about something like this: \frac{x}{\sqrt[3]{28}}
Multiply by 1 in the form of \frac{\sqrt[3]{28}}{\sqrt[3]{28}}

Result is \frac{x\sqrt[3]{28}}{28}


EDIT: That was already posted in this same posting but already responded to, when I realize now I made a big mistake.


This example is for a cube root. With the (1/(28)^(1/3)) denominator, I should have shown multiplying numerator and denominator this way:
\frac{\sqrt[3]{28}}{\sqrt[3]{28}}\cdot\frac{\sqrt[3]{28}}{\sqrt[3]{28}}
 
Last edited:
symbolipoint said:
The example cube root you ask for seem not tricky because 27 already is a cube. The cubed root of 27 is 3, so the denominator is already rationalized.

How about something like this: \frac{x}{\sqrt[3]{28}}
Multiply by 1 in the form of \frac{\sqrt[3]{28}}{\sqrt[3]{28}}

Result is \frac{x\sqrt[3]{28}}{28}

But doesn't

(3√28) x (3√28) = 3√282) ??

[because 281/3 + 281/3 = 282/3,
because of the rule (xa) (xb) = xa+b ]

Also, I edited my original post to eliminate the perfect cube in the denominator.
 
Last edited:
mileena said:
But doesn't

(3√28) x (3√28) = 3√282) ??

(because the exponents 1/3 + 1/3 = 2/3)

Also, I edited my original post to eliminate the perfect cube in the denominator.

Find a value of ##n## in $$\frac{x}{11^{1/3}} \cdot \frac{11^n}{11^n}$$ such that the denominator is rational.
 
CAF123 said:
Find a value of ##n## in $$\frac{x}{11^{1/3}} \cdot \frac{11^n}{11^n}$$ such that the denominator is rational.

That helps a lot!

What if I multiply by: 112/3/112/3

So the denominator will be (111/3)(112/3) = 11 !

So the final answer will be (x3√112)/11
 
mileena said:
That helps a lot!

What if I multiply by: 112/3/112/3

So the denominator will be (111/3)(112/3) = 11 !

So the final answer will be (x3√112)/11

Correct.
 
Thanks! I finally got something right :-p
 
mileena said:
Thanks! I finally got something right :-p

mileena,
please recheck my post. I found my mistake and added better information. We square a square root to bring back the number under the radical. We cube a cubed root to bring back the number under the radical.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K