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Marc writes - 4x3. 2y-2.5ys • x-8 = -40x5y3 and the teacher marked it wrong. Explain Marc's error and explain how to find the correct answer?

User Schibum
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Marc's error is in the multiplication of the terms -4x^3, 2y^-2.5ys, and x^-8. The correct way to multiply these terms is to add the exponents of the variables.

Step-by-step explanation:

Marc's error is in the multiplication of the terms -4x^3, 2y^-2.5ys, and x^-8. The correct way to multiply these terms is to add the exponents of the variables. Let's break down the correct steps to find the answer:

  1. Multiply the coefficients: -4 * 2 * -2.5 = 20.
  2. Multiply the x-terms: x^3 * x^-8 = x^(3 + -8) = x^-5.
  3. Multiply the y-terms: 2y^-2.5 * y * s = 2 * 1 * s = 2s.

So the correct answer is -40x^-5 * 2s = -80s/x^5.

User CSharpened
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