Additional Operations

Two additional operations that often confuse students: Squaring a fraction and Square rooting a fraction.

If you can square a whole number, you can square a fraction!

*Just remember, what you do to the bottom of a fraction, you always do to the top!

Remember, if the fraction is a mixed number; rewrite it as an improper fraction before you start. (See the Getting Started Page for directions!)

Raising a fraction to a power

Here is an example of a fraction squared, but you can do the same with any exponent!

Check to see if the fraction can be reduced and you are done!
(The example above cannot be simplified anymore.)

Taking the root of a fraction

To take the square root of a fraction you do the same as above.

Take the square root of the top and the bottom (the numerator and the denominator)

Again, check to see if the fraction can be reduced and you’re done!

The example above was not too complicated because the numerator and denominator were both perfect squares. It can get a little more complicated, but now you have the basics.

Let's Review
To square or square root a fraction: simply square/root the top and the bottom of the fraction!

This rule applies to any power and any root!

Try these examples:

(Rollover the red rectangle to check your answers.)

For additional help or practice problems see the Resource page.

We come across fractions throughout our math careers. Time after time, students are confused. However, once you can fully grasp the basics, you can apply them to solve more complex problems. So study hard, and remember fractions can be your “friends”!