Question

Apply the product rule of integer exponents to find the numerical equivalent of 12^-5 * 12^7. Show your work and explain how you used the product of rule integer exponents.

Explain this in two sentences and make it simple.

Answer 1

To find the numerical equivalent of \( 12^{-5} \times 12^{7} \), we use the product rule of integer exponents, which states that \( a^m \times a^n = a^{m+n} \). Here, we add the exponents: \(-5 + 7 = 2\), so \( 12^{-5} \times 12^{7} = 12^{2} = 144\).