if the expression 4^10 was simplified using the power rule of exponents, what is an equivalent expanded expression?

(4^2)^8
(4^12)^2
(4^5)^2
4 . 4 . 4 . 4 . 4 . 4 . 4

1 answer

The expression \( 4^{10} \) can be rewritten using the power rule of exponents. The power rule states that \( (a^m)^n = a^{m \cdot n} \).

To simplify \( 4^{10} \) using this rule, it can be expressed as:

\[ (4^2)^5 = 4^{2 \cdot 5} = 4^{10} \]

This means \( (4^2)^5 \) is equivalent to \( 4^{10} \). However, none of the given options directly show \( (4^2)^5 \).

Now, let's evaluate each of the provided options:

  1. (4^2)^8 \[ (4^2)^8 = 4^{2 \cdot 8} = 4^{16} \] This is not equivalent to \( 4^{10} \).

  2. (4^12)^2 \[ (4^{12})^2 = 4^{12 \cdot 2} = 4^{24} \] This is not equivalent to \( 4^{10} \).

  3. (4^5)^2 \[ (4^5)^2 = 4^{5 \cdot 2} = 4^{10} \] This is equivalent to \( 4^{10} \).

  4. 4 . 4 . 4 . 4 . 4 . 4 . 4 This expression represents \( 4^7 \), which is also not equivalent to \( 4^{10} \).

Thus, the equivalent expanded expression for \( 4^{10} \) using the power rule of exponents from the options is:

(4^5)^2