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Simplify a⁵ x a⁴/a²
A)a¹⁰
B)a¹⁸
C)a⁷
D)a⁸

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

The expression a⁵ x a⁴/a² simplifies to a⁷ using the laws of exponents. We add the exponents when multiplying the same bases and subtract the exponent when dividing, leading to the correct answer option C) a⁷.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks us to simplify the expression a⁵ x a⁴/a².

This involves the laws of exponents, specifically the quotient rule, (xʳ)/x^b = x^(a-b), and the product rule, (x^a)(x^b) = x^(a+b).

Applying these rules, we multiply the exponents in the numerator and subtract the exponent in the denominator:

a⁵ x a⁴ = a^(5+4) = a⁹
And then we divide by a²: a⁹/a²

= a^(9-2)

= a⁷

Therefore, the simplified form of the expression is a⁷, which matches option C).

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