Question
Why is 5^9 • 5^-13 = 5^4 wrong?
Answers
GPT 3.5
The expression 5^9 • 5^-13 is not equal to 5^4. Let's break down the calculation to understand why:
5^9 • 5^-13 can be written as (5^9)/(5^13). When dividing two exponents with the same base, you subtract the exponents. So, (5^9)/(5^13) simplifies to 5^(9-13) or 5^-4.
Now, 5^-4 means taking the reciprocal of 5^4, which is 1/(5^4) or 1/625.
Therefore, 5^9 • 5^-13 = 1/625, which is not equal to 5^4.
5^9 • 5^-13 can be written as (5^9)/(5^13). When dividing two exponents with the same base, you subtract the exponents. So, (5^9)/(5^13) simplifies to 5^(9-13) or 5^-4.
Now, 5^-4 means taking the reciprocal of 5^4, which is 1/(5^4) or 1/625.
Therefore, 5^9 • 5^-13 = 1/625, which is not equal to 5^4.