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The expression 7^n/7^5 simplifies to 7^p. If n = 18, what is the value of the exponent p? Show your work and explain how you found your answer.

User Odalet
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1 Answer

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When you divide two powers of the same base, you subtract the exponents:


(a^b)/(a^c) = a^(b-c)

This means that, in your case,


(7^n)/(7^5) = 7^p \iff 7^(n-5) = 7^p \iff n-5 = p

So, if
n=18, the equation becomes


18-5 = p \iff p = 13

User Marlin Pierce
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