Question

Which expression is equivalent to 12^-5 times 12^9?

a. 1/12^-45
b. 12^-45
c. 1/12^4
d. 1/12^-4

Answer 1

12^14

Explanation:

It's the correct answer

Answer 2

D. 1/12^-4

Explanation:

`12^(-5)*12^(9)`

Since both exponents have the same base, we can add the exponents to get:

`12^(-5+9)=12^(4)`

We can cross out A and B since they multiplied the two exponents, therefore both answers are wrong.

Now, let's try C and D.

C is wrong because it has a different base being raised to the same power.

D is correct. When you have a negative exponent, it is equivalent to the reciprocal of the base to the positive exponent.

The reciprocal of 1/12 is 12, and the positive of -4 is 4, therefore the answer is D.