Answer:
A rational exponent is an exponent that is a fraction. If the fraction has an even denominator, the root will be of an even number (like the square root, the 4th root, etc.). Think about it when you square something: -2 • -2 = 4, 2 • 2 = 4. No matter the sign, any number multiplied by itself an even number of times will make a positive number. So, you can't take the square root of a negative number because it is impossible to get a negative number when squaring! This applies to ALL even roots/exponents. So, (-1)^½ does not exist! Look: (-1)^½ becomes √(-1) which is an imaginary number!
Step-by-step explanation:
