If you observe that [tex] 16 = 2^4 [/tex], you can rewrite the expression as
[tex] 16^{\frac{1}{4}} = (2^4)^{\frac{1}{4}} [/tex]
Now, if you use the exponent rule [tex] (a^b)^c = a^{bc} [/tex], you may rewrite the expression again:
[tex] (2^4)^{\frac{1}{4}} = 2^{4\cdot\frac{1}{4}} = 2^1 = 2 [/tex]
