Algebra II : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Algebra II

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Example Questions

Example Question #91 : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Simplify: \(\displaystyle (3x^6)^5\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 243x^{30}\)

\(\displaystyle 243x^8\)

\(\displaystyle 243x^{11}\)

\(\displaystyle 15x^{30}\)

\(\displaystyle 3x^{30}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 243x^{30}\)

Explanation:

When an exponent is being raised by another exponent, we multiply the exponents and keep the base the same. Since there is a number present, we also must perform the exponent operation as well.

\(\displaystyle (3x^6)^5=3^5*x^{5*6}=243x^{30}\)

Example Question #92 : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Simplify: \(\displaystyle 4x^2(3x^6)^2\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 13x^{14}\)

\(\displaystyle 144x^{10}\)

\(\displaystyle 49x^{24}\)

\(\displaystyle 36x^{14}\)

\(\displaystyle 36x^{24}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 36x^{14}\)

Explanation:

Since we have two expressions being multiplied, we follow PEMDAS meaning we do exponents first then multiplication. We will apply power rule and then multiplication rule of exponents.

\(\displaystyle 4x^2(3x^6)^2=4x^2*9x^{12}=36x^{14}\)

Example Question #93 : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Simplify: \(\displaystyle 5x^6(4x^2)^3\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 20x^{30}\)

\(\displaystyle 320x^{12}\)

\(\displaystyle 48x^{11}\)

\(\displaystyle 600x^{12}\)

\(\displaystyle 64x^{36}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 320x^{12}\)

Explanation:

Since we have two expressions being multiplied, we follow PEMDAS meaning we do exponents first then multiplication. We will apply power rule and then multiplication rule of exponents.

\(\displaystyle 5x^6(4x^2)^3=5x^6*64x^6=320x^{12}\)

Example Question #281 : Simplifying Exponents

Simplify:  \(\displaystyle [(9^{4})^{20}]^2\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 9^{82}\)

\(\displaystyle 9^{48}\)

\(\displaystyle 9^{160}\)

\(\displaystyle 9^{26}\)

\(\displaystyle 9^{80}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 9^{160}\)

Explanation:

Evaluate by using the product rule of exponents.  Solve the parentheses first.

\(\displaystyle (9^{4})^{20} = 9^{4\cdot 20} =9^{80}\)

Solve the bracket.

\(\displaystyle [(9^{4})^{20}]^2=[9^{80}]^2 = 9^{80\cdot 2} =9^{160}\)

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle 9^{160}\)

Example Question #1082 : Mathematical Relationships And Basic Graphs

Simplify:

\(\displaystyle \frac{(x^2y^3)^9}{xy^7}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{x^9}{y^{36}}\)

\(\displaystyle x^{17}y^{20}\)

\(\displaystyle x^{11}y^{27}\)

\(\displaystyle x^{10}y^5\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle x^{17}y^{20}\)

Explanation:

Recall that when an exponent is raised to another exponent, you will need to multiply the two exponents together.

Start by simplifying the numerator:

\(\displaystyle (x^2y^3)^9=x^{18}y^{27}\)

Now, place this on top of the denominator and simplify. Recall that when you divide exponents that have the same base, you will subtract the exponent in the denominator from the exponent in the numerator.

\(\displaystyle \frac{x^{18}y^{27}}{xy^7}=x^{17}y^{20}\)

Example Question #282 : Simplifying Exponents

Simplify:  \(\displaystyle 2(2^{20})^5\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 4^{51}\)

\(\displaystyle 2^{101}\)

\(\displaystyle 2^{100}\)

\(\displaystyle 4^{100}\)

\(\displaystyle 4^{101}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 2^{101}\)

Explanation:

We can solve the exponent in the parentheses first.

Use the power rule to simplify the term.

\(\displaystyle (2^{20})^5 = (2^{20\cdot 5}) = 2^{100}\)

The expression becomes:  

\(\displaystyle 2(2^{20})^5 = 2(2^{100}) = 2^1 \cdot 2^{100}\)

Since the bases of the powers are the same, we can add the exponents.

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle 2^{101}\)

Example Question #281 : Simplifying Exponents

Simplify the exponents:  \(\displaystyle 5^4(25^2)^3\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 5^{16}\)

\(\displaystyle 5^{14}\)

\(\displaystyle 5^{48}\)

\(\displaystyle 5^9\)

\(\displaystyle 5^{40}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 5^{16}\)

Explanation:

Simplify the powers in parentheses first.  According to the product rule, their powers can be multiplied.

\(\displaystyle (25^2)^3 = 25^6\)

The expression becomes:

\(\displaystyle 5^4(25^2)^3=5^4(25^6)\)

Convert the number 25 to base five.

\(\displaystyle 5^4(5^{2(6)}) = 5^4(5^{12})\)

Since the bases are similar, the property of exponents allow us to add the exponents.

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle 5^{16}\)

Example Question #94 : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Simplify:  \(\displaystyle (3^{600})^3\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 3^{603}\)

\(\displaystyle 27^{603}\)

\(\displaystyle 9^{1800}\)

\(\displaystyle 27^{1800}\)

\(\displaystyle 3^{1800}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 3^{1800}\)

Explanation:

The exponents are separated by a parentheses.

According to the distributive property of exponents, we can simply multiply the two exponents.

\(\displaystyle 3^{600\times 3} = 3^{1800}\)

Do not cube the three!

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle 3^{1800}\)

Example Question #93 : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Simplify:  \(\displaystyle 6(36^{10})^3\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 6^{61}\)

\(\displaystyle 6^{25}\)

\(\displaystyle 6^{24}\)

\(\displaystyle 36^{42}\)

\(\displaystyle 36^{15}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 6^{61}\)

Explanation:

To simplify this expression, convert the value of 36 to base six.

\(\displaystyle 6(36^{10})^3 = 6(6^{2(10)})^3 = 6(6^{20})^3\)

Evaluate the product of exponents.

\(\displaystyle 6(6^{60})\)

This is similar to: \(\displaystyle 6^1 \cdot 6^{60}\)

When common bases of a certain powers are multiplied, the exponents can be added.

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle 6^{61}\)

Example Question #286 : Simplifying Exponents

Solve:  \(\displaystyle 2(2^{19})^4\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2^{77}\)

\(\displaystyle 32^{23}\)

\(\displaystyle 4^{77}\)

\(\displaystyle 4^{23}\)

\(\displaystyle 2^{24}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 2^{77}\)

Explanation:

Evaluate the expression by using the product rule of exponents.

\(\displaystyle 2(2^{19})^4 =2(2^{19\times 4})= 2(2^{76})\)

Rewrite the expression using \(\displaystyle 2=2^1\).

\(\displaystyle 2(2^{76}) = 2^1 \cdot 2^{76}\)

When powers of a same base are multiplied together, we can add the exponents.

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle 2^{77}\)

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