Question

How can the expression be simplified and written without negative exponents?

a) ( b^-17 ⋅ b^11b^-5 )
b) ( 1b^11 )
c) ( b^11 )
d) ( b^-6 )

Answer 1

To simplify and write the expression without negative exponents, combine the like bases by adding the exponents and write the expression with positive exponents.

Step-by-step explanation:

To simplify and write the expression without negative exponents, we can apply the rules of exponents. Here are the steps:

1. Combine the like bases by adding the exponents. For example, in (b^-17 ⋅ b^11 ⋅ b^-5), the b bases can be combined as b^(-17 + 11 - 5) = b^(-11).
2. Write the expression with positive exponents. In this case, (b^(-11)) can be written as (1/b^11).

Therefore, the expression can be simplified and written without negative exponents as choice (b) ( 1/b^11 ).