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Given the following expressions:

A. 5³ • 5⁻4
B. 3⁵/3⁻6
C. 1/4³ •1/4²
D. -7⁵/-7⁷

Part 1: Use operations of exponents to simplify each expression (A-D). Include your work in your final answer.

a) A = 125, B = 81, C = 1/64, D = -1/2401
b) A = 125, B = 729, C = 1/16, D = -1/16807
c) A = 125, B = 243, C = 1/16, D = -1/16807
d) A = 125, B = 243, C = 1/64, D = -1/16807

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The operations of exponents simplify the expressions A = 1/5, B = 19683, C = 1/1024, and D = 1/49 by adding or subtracting exponents for multiplication and division, respectively, with like bases.

Step-by-step explanation:

The expressions given require us to use the operations of exponents to simplify each one. The correct simplifications are as follows:

  • A: 5³ • 5⁻⁴ uses the rule that when multiplying powers with the same base, you add the exponents. Thus, A = 5³+⁻⁴ = 5⁻¹ = 1/5.
  • B: 3⁵/3⁻⁶ applies the rule that when dividing powers with the same base, you subtract the exponents. Hence, B = 3⁵-⁻⁶ = 3¹¹ = 19683.
  • C: 1/4³ • 1/4² also involves multiplying powers with the same base, therefore you add the exponents. Since these are negative powers (being in the denominator), we add the exponents in a different way: C = 1/(4³ · 4²) = 1/4⁵ = 1/1024.
  • D: -7⁵/-7⁷ is also a division of like bases, so we subtract the exponents. Here, the negatives cancel each other out, leaving us with D = 7⁵⁻⁷ = 7⁻² = 1/49.

Thus, the correct simplifications are:

  • A = 1/5
  • B = 19683
  • C = 1/1024
  • D = 1/49
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