a A negative exponent in a numerator, or of an integer, will be moved to the denominator and become positive. A negative exponent in a denominator will be moved to the numerator and become positive.
d Raising an expression to the 1mth power is the same as calculating the mth root.
A
a 2/25
B
b 3x^2y^3/z^4
C
c 54m^5n
D
d ysqrt(5x^2z)
Practice makes perfect
a Notice that the exponent of one of the factors is negative. When this is the case, the number can be moved to the denominator and the exponent will become positive.
a^(- m)* b^n=b^n/a^m ⇒ 5^(-2)*4^(12)=4^(12)/5^2
Using the Properties of Rational Exponents we can simplify this fraction. Let's start!
b To simplify the given expression, we will use the Properties of Rational Exponents. Remember that you can combine terms with the same base by adding or subtracting their powers. Let's do it!
c To simplify the given expression, we will use the Properties of Rational Exponents. For this exercise, we can start with distributing the powers to the terms inside the parentheses.
d To simplify the given expression, we will use the Properties of Rational Exponents. For this exercise, we can start with replacing the power with the root.
