Question

How do you evaluate and simplify `8^(1/3)`?

Answer 1

`2`

Explanation:

When given a fractional power, you want to try to see if the base has any power that can be used to simplify the power.

Since `(a^b)^c = a^(b*c)`, try to rewrite the base into the form `a^b` so that the `b` and the fractional power `c` will multiply out.

`8 = 2 * 2 * 2`
`8 = 2^3`

Now, plug it into the original expression

`8 ^(1/3)`
`= (2^3)^(1/3)`
`= 2^(3*1/3)`
`= 2^1`
`=2`