Is the equation 3^-5 x (4√81)^3/3^-4 = 3^-6 true or false? Select the response that correctly answers the question and provides the appropriate justification.

Responses

False. There is an error in applying the Product Property.

False. There is an error in calculation in using the quotient property.

True. All rules have been applied correctly.

True, but the equation should be simplified using the Negative Exponent Rule.

1 answer

To determine whether the equation \(3^{-5} \times (4\sqrt{81})^3 / 3^{-4} = 3^{-6}\) is true or false, let's simplify it step by step.

  1. Simplify \(4\sqrt{81}\): \[ \sqrt{81} = 9. \] Therefore, \[ 4\sqrt{81} = 4 \times 9 = 36. \]

  2. Calculate \((36)^3\): \[ 36^3 = 36 \times 36 \times 36. \] We will leave this as \(36^3\) for now and proceed to the next part of the equation.

  3. Write the entire expression: So now we rewrite the expression: \[ 3^{-5} \times (36^3) / 3^{-4}. \]

  4. Apply the Quotient Property of Exponents: Recall that \(a^m / a^n = a^{m-n}\). Then, \[ \frac{3^{-5}}{3^{-4}} = 3^{-5 - (-4)} = 3^{-5 + 4} = 3^{-1}. \]

  5. Combine everything: The equation now becomes: \[ 3^{-1} \times 36^3. \]

  6. Final step: However, we need to go further to equate this to \(3^{-6}\). Let's explore \(36^3\): \[ 36 = 6^2 = (2 \times 3)^2 = 2^2 \times 3^2. \] So, \[ 36^3 = (2^2 \times 3^2)^3 = 2^6 \times 3^6. \] This means, \[ 3^{-1} \times (2^6 \times 3^6) = 2^6 \times 3^{6 - 1} = 2^6 \times 3^5. \]

Now we compare \(2^6 \times 3^5\) with \(3^{-6}\):

  • The left-hand side \(2^6 \times 3^5\) cannot equal \(3^{-6}\) because of the \(2^6\) term.

Based on these steps, the equation \(3^{-5} \times (4\sqrt{81})^3 / 3^{-4} = 3^{-6}\) is False. There is an error in calculation in using the quotient property.

Correct response: False. There is an error in calculation in using the quotient property.