![](\"\/..\/images\/rat_exp.png\")
<\/p>\n
In the left expression above, c is the root while b is the exponent. Some might also call b the “power”. The variable a you might call the argument.<\/p>\n
On this website I use the familiar notation<\/p>\n
![](\"\/..\/images\/exp_to_hat.png\")
<\/p>\n
Note that it follows that<\/p>\n
√(49)=49^(1\/2)=7<\/p>\n
since the exponent on 49 in the left expression, not being written, is understood to be 1, while the root, not being stated, is assumed to be 2.<\/p>\n
Another example:<\/p>\n
3<\/sup>√(125)=(125)^(1\/3)=5<\/p>\n Python’s pow<\/span> function seems to favour the a^(b\/c) interpretation. Before using pow<\/span>, you need the line<\/p>\n import math<\/span><\/p>\n to make pow<\/span> available. Then, pow<\/span> can be used as follows:<\/p>\n math.pow(argument, rational exponent)<\/span><\/p>\n Therefore, the little program should yield the output<\/p>\n I’ll be talking more about Python math functions in future posts:)<\/p>\n Source:<\/p>\n Donaldson, Toby. Python<\/u>, 3rd Ed. Peachpit Press, 2014<\/p>\n
\n
\nimport math
\nprint(str(math.pow(3,2)))
\nprint(str(math.pow(8,1\/3)))
\nprint(str(math.pow(32,2\/5)))
<\/span><\/p>\n
\n9.0
\n2.0
\n4.0
\n<\/span><\/p>\n