Question

Which expressions are in simplest form? CHECK ALL THAT APPLY.

a) x^-3 + y^3
b) 1/x^4
c) w^7/x^2
d) a^-9
e) 1/a^2 + b^2

Answer 1

To determine which expressions are in simplest form, we need to simplify each expression as much as possible. The expressions in simplest form are 1/x^4 and 1/a^9.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine which expressions are in simplest form, we need to simplify each expression as much as possible. Let's analyze each expression:

a) x^-3 + y^3: This expression cannot be simplified further.

b) 1/x^4: This expression can be simplified by applying negative exponent rule, which states that any term raised to a negative exponent can be written as its reciprocal with the exponent made positive. So, 1/x^4 can be simplified to x^-4.

c) w^7/x^2: This expression cannot be simplified further.

d) a^-9: This expression can be simplified by applying negative exponent rule. a^-9 can be written as 1/a^9.

e) 1/a^2 + b^2: This expression cannot be simplified further.

So, the expressions in simplest form are b) 1/x^4 and d) 1/a^9.