Question

In order for Tim to simplify the expression below, what step will he need to use for each variable's exponent? 6 x y^2 z^4 2 x^2 y^5 z A Divide the exponents B Multiply the exponents C Add the exponents D Subtract the exponents

Answer 1

C. Add the exponents

Explanation:

The given expression is presented as follows;

6·x·y²·z⁴·2·x²·y⁵·z

The expression can be rearranged by according to like terms as follows;

6·2·x·x²·y²·y⁵·z⁴·z = 3·2·2·x·x²·y²·y⁵·z⁴·z

By the law of indices, we add the exponents of the like terms to simplify the expression as follows;

3·2·2·x·x²·y²·y⁵·z⁴·z = 3·2⁽¹⁺¹⁾·x⁽²⁺¹⁾·y⁽⁵⁺²⁾·z⁽⁴⁺¹⁾ = 3·2²·x³·y⁷·z⁵

In order to simplify the expression the step Tim needs to use for each variable's exponent is to add the exponents.