Rewrite the fractional exponent as a root and a power: (a^{m/n} = sqrt[n]{a^m} = (sqrt[n]{a})^m)
Find the root indicated by the denominator
Raise the result to the power indicated by the numerator
If the exponent is negative, take the reciprocal first: (a^{-m/n} = frac{1}{a^{m/n}})
If the exponent is zero, the value is 1: (a^0 = 1)
Use (a^{1/n} = sqrt[n]{a})
Use (a^{m/n} = (sqrt[n]{a})^m)
Example: (16^{1/2} = sqrt{16} = 4)
Example: (27^{2/3} = (sqrt[3]{27})^2 = 3^2 = 9)
Example: (81^{3/4} = (sqrt[4]{81})^3 = 3^3 = 27)
Example: (8^{-2/3} = frac{1}{8^{2/3}} = frac{1}{(sqrt[3]{8})^2} = frac{1}{4})