Answer:
1) I disagree with the comment because, in the essence of both, the rules for rational exponents are the same as the rules for integer exponents.
2a) Check image below for the answer to 2a.
Two exponents with the same base multiply, and the base stays the same, add the exponents. {a^b × a^c = a^b+c}
b) Check image below for the answer to b.