Question

Your teacher asks the class to evaluate the expression (5^2)^1. Your classmate gives an incorrect answer of 125. Evaluate the expression. Then find the likely error.

Answer 1

Correct answer to (5^2)^1: 25

Likely error: Your classmate added the exponents 2 and 1 together, and solved 5^3.

Explanation:

A number to the power of 1 is the same number. It is not multiplied by anything. To solve (5^2)^1, first solve 5^2, what's within the parenthesis. 5^2=25, because 5*5=25. 25^1 is 25, because putting a number to the power of 1 results in the same number.

Answer 2

Hey there!

(5^2)^1

= (5 * 5)^1

= (25)^1

= 25^1

= 25

Thus, the CORRECT answer should be: 25.

So, the classmate that gave the false answer probably misunderstood what the teacher was asking so that’s why they received 125 as a potential answer. If the teacher translated it to somewhat easier terms the classmate would’ve probably gotten it correct!

Look above how I received my answer and see how it should be written. :)

Good luck on your assignment & enjoy your day!

~Amphitrite1040:)