Algebra II : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Algebra II

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Example Questions

Example Question #1055 : Mathematical Relationships And Basic Graphs

Simplify the exponent:  \(\displaystyle (2a^{120})^{5}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 32a^{600}\)

\(\displaystyle 2a^{125}\)

\(\displaystyle 2a^{600}\)

\(\displaystyle 32a^{125}\)

\(\displaystyle 16a^{600}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 32a^{600}\)

Explanation:

According to the property of the power rule for exponents, 

\(\displaystyle (x^a)^b = x^{a\times b}\)

The exponents may be multiplied if the exponent is outside of the parentheses.

\(\displaystyle (2a^{120})^{5} = 2^5 \cdot a^{120\times 5}\)

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle 32a^{600}\)

Example Question #254 : Simplifying Exponents

Simplify:  \(\displaystyle (a^2b^{25})^{20}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle a^{40}b^{500}\)

\(\displaystyle a^{22}b^{45}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{a^{10}b^{5}}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle a^{40}b^{400}\)

\(\displaystyle a^{22}b^{500}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle a^{40}b^{500}\)

Explanation:

In order to simplify this, we will need to distribute the power of 20 across both powers inside the inner quantity.

\(\displaystyle (a^2b^{25})^{20} = (a^{2\cdot 20}b^{25\cdot 20})\)

Multiply the powers.

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle a^{40}b^{500}\)

Example Question #72 : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Simplify:  \(\displaystyle (x^{35}\cdot x^{20})^{15}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle x^{825}\)

\(\displaystyle x^{715}\)

\(\displaystyle x^{80}\)

\(\displaystyle x^{70}\)

\(\displaystyle x^{10500}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle x^{825}\)

Explanation:

Simplify the inner quantity first.

When powers of the same base are multiplied together, the powers may be added.

\(\displaystyle x^{35}\cdot x^{20} = x^{55}\)

The expression becomes:  \(\displaystyle (x^{55})^{15}\)

When the quantity of a power is raised to a certain power, the powers will need to be multiplied.

\(\displaystyle (x^{55})^{15} =x^{55\times 15} = x^{825}\)

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle x^{825}\)

Example Question #71 : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Solve:  \(\displaystyle (2a^{300})^3\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 2a^{303}\)

\(\displaystyle 8a^{303}\)

\(\displaystyle 8a^{900}\)

\(\displaystyle 2a^{900}\)

\(\displaystyle 6a^{303}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 8a^{900}\)

Explanation:

The term can be simplified by distributing the power with the term inside the parentheses.

\(\displaystyle (2a^{300})^3 = 2^3\cdot a^{300\times 3} = 8a^{900}\)

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle 8a^{900}\)

Example Question #74 : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Simplify the exponents:  \(\displaystyle [(a^{10})^5]^{20}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle a^{70}\)

\(\displaystyle a^{300}\)

\(\displaystyle a^{3000}\)

\(\displaystyle a^{35}\)

\(\displaystyle a^{1000}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle a^{1000}\)

Explanation:

Simplify the terms in the bracket first.  When a quantity of a power is raised to the power, the exponents may be multiplied.

\(\displaystyle [(a^{10})^5]^{20} =[(a^{10\times 5})]^{20} = [a^{50}]^{20}\)

Repeat the process for the term in the bracket.

\(\displaystyle a^{50\times 20}\)

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle a^{1000}\)

Example Question #261 : Simplifying Exponents

Solve the following:  \(\displaystyle ( 3^3\cdot 3^2)^{10}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 6^{50}\)

\(\displaystyle 3^{50}\)

\(\displaystyle 3^{15}\)

\(\displaystyle 3^{60}\)

\(\displaystyle 9^{50}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 3^{50}\)

Explanation:

Simplify the terms inside the parentheses.

\(\displaystyle ( 3^3\cdot 3^2) = (3^{3+2}) = 3^5\)

\(\displaystyle ( 3^3\cdot 3^2)^{10} = (3^5)^{10}\)

The quantity will be multiplied by itself ten times.  This means that the powers here can be multiplied.

\(\displaystyle (3^5)^{10} = 3^{5\times 10} = 3^{50}\)

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle 3^{50}\)

Example Question #73 : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Simplify:  \(\displaystyle (6^{12})(\frac{1}{36})^{6}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 6^{-144}\)

\(\displaystyle 6^6\)

\(\displaystyle 1\)

\(\displaystyle 0\)

\(\displaystyle 6^{-24}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 1\)

Explanation:

Rewrite the second term so that it has the common base.

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{36} = 6^{-2}\)

\(\displaystyle (6^{12})(\frac{1}{36})^{6} = (6^{12})(6^{-2})^{6}\)

Simplify the power outside of the parentheses by multiplication.

\(\displaystyle (6^{12})(6^{-12})\)

Since these exponents with the same bases are multiplied, the exponents can be added.

\(\displaystyle (6^{12})(6^{-12})= 6^{12+(-12)} = 6^0=1\)

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle 1\)

Example Question #72 : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Simplify:  \(\displaystyle (9\cdot3^{12})^5\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 9^{50}\)

\(\displaystyle 3^{80}\)

\(\displaystyle 3^{70}\)

\(\displaystyle 9^{60}\)

\(\displaystyle 3^{120}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 3^{70}\)

Explanation:

In order to simplify this, we will first need to simplify the inner term of the parentheses.

Rewrite the nine with base three.

\(\displaystyle 9=3^2\)

The expression becomes:

\(\displaystyle (3^2\cdot3^{12})^5\)

Since the common bases of a certain power are multiplied, the exponents can be added.

\(\displaystyle (3^2\cdot3^{12})^5=(3^{2+12})^5 = (3^{14})^5\)

Now that we have an exponent outside of a quantity, we can multiply the exponents together.

\(\displaystyle (3^{14})^5 = 3^{70}\)

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle 3^{70}\)

Example Question #262 : Simplifying Exponents

Solve:  \(\displaystyle (6^9)^{4}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 6^{36}\)

\(\displaystyle 6^{13}\)

\(\displaystyle 1296^{4}\)

\(\displaystyle 1296^{9}\)

\(\displaystyle 24^{36}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 6^{36}\)

Explanation:

This expression can be simplified by either writing out the quantities four time, or simply by just multiplying the powers together.  Either method will give similar answers.

\(\displaystyle (6^9)^{4}=(6^9)(6^9)(6^9)(6^9)= 6^{9\times 4} = 6^{36}\)

Do not change the base at any point in the calculation.

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle 6^{36}\)

Example Question #592 : Exponents

Simplify:  \(\displaystyle (3^{25})^{25}\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 3^{625}\)

\(\displaystyle 3^{500}\)

\(\displaystyle 3^{50}\)

\(\displaystyle 3^{675}\)

\(\displaystyle 3^{250}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 3^{625}\)

Explanation:

In order to solve this, use the distribution rule for exponents.

\(\displaystyle (a^{X})^Y = a^{XY}\)

Multiply the powers together.

\(\displaystyle (3^{25})^{25} = 3^{25\times 25} = 3^{625}\)

The answer is:  \(\displaystyle 3^{625}\)

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