Question

What is the result of Z² * Z⁻³?

A) Z⁶
B) Z⁻¹
C) Z⁻⁶
D) Z⁵

Answer 1

The result of the expression Z² * Z⁻³ is Z⁻¹, which follows the law of exponents for multiplying with the same base by adding the exponents together.

Step-by-step explanation:

The multiplication of variables with exponents in algebra follows the law of exponents which states that when multiplying two exponents with the same base, you add the exponents. So when calculating Z² * Z⁻³, you add the exponents 2 and -3, resulting in Z⁻¹.

This is because:

Z² means Z * Z (Z multiplied by itself twice).

Z⁻³ means 1/(Z * Z * Z) (the reciprocal of Z multiplied by itself three times).

Multiplying Z² by Z⁻³ is the same as Z * Z * (1/(Z * Z * Z)) which simplifies to 1/Z or Z⁻¹.