Question

Find the missing exponent: a^__/a^2 = a^4.
a) 2
b) 4
c) 6
d) 8

Answer 1

To find the missing exponent in the equation a^__/a^2 = a^4, subtract the exponent on the right side from the missing exponent on the left side, and solve for the missing exponent. In this case, the missing exponent is 6.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the missing exponent in the equation a^__/a^2 = a^4, we need to use the property of exponents that states when dividing powers with the same base, we subtract the exponents. In this case, we have a missing exponent on the left side of the equation. Since the base is the same (a), the missing exponent is the difference between the exponent of a on the left side (unknown) and the exponent of a on the right side (2), which should equal 4.

We can set up the equation:

a^(unknown - 2) = a^4

Since the bases are the same, we can equate the exponents:

unknown - 2 = 4

Adding 2 to both sides of the equation, we get:

unknown = 6

Therefore, the missing exponent is 6. So, the answer is c) 6.