Question

Simplify. Write the expression using only positive exponents. n8.58 The simplified expression is

Answer 1

Given the expression:

`(r^8\cdot r^(-8))/(4)`

to simplify, first we must use the following rule for exponents:

`a^n\cdot a^m=a^(n+m)`

then, in this case we have the following:

`(r^8\cdot r^(-8))/(4)=(r^(8+(-8)))/(4)=(r^(8-8))/(4)=(r^0)/(4)`

now, remember that any number with an exponent 0 is the unit, this means that a^0=1, then:

`(r^0)/(4)=(1)/(4)`

therefore, the simplified expression is 1/4