Evaluate following.

               √16 and

Solution

To evaluate these first we will convert them to exponent form and then evaluate that since we already know how to do that.

 (a) These are together to make a point about the importance of the index in this notation.  Let's take a look at both of these.

√16 = 16 ^1/2  = 4          because 4²  = 16

Thus, the index is important. Different indexes will provide different evaluations so ensure that you don't drop the index unless it is a 2 (and therefore we're utilizing square roots).