Question

A student simplified this expression: (33⋅ 2−4)436
(
3
3


2

4
)
4
3
6
using these steps:

Step 1: 312 ⋅ 2−1636
3
12



2

16
3
6

Step 2: 36216
3
6
2
16

Answers

GPT-4o mini
Let's analyze the expression and the steps taken in simplification:

The original expression is \((33 \cdot 2^{-4})^{436}\).

**Step 1: Simplifying the base**

We start with:

\[
33 \cdot 2^{-4}
\]

This can be expressed as:

\[
3^3 \cdot 2^{-4}
\]

So the expression becomes:

\[
(3^3 \cdot 2^{-4})^{436}
\]

Using properties of exponents, we distribute the exponent:

\[
(3^3)^{436} \cdot (2^{-4})^{436} = 3^{3 \cdot 436} \cdot 2^{-4 \cdot 436}
\]

Calculating the powers:

\[
3^{1308} \cdot 2^{-1744}
\]

**Step 2: Expressing the results in simplified terms**

The next step would create a similar structure. We can combine the powers of two or write the expression in a more manageable format:

\[
\frac{3^{1308}}{2^{1744}}
\]

Now let's look at the student's steps:

1. **Step 1**: The student seems to express it as \(3^{12} \cdot 2^{-16}\), which appears incorrect. The calculation \(3^{1308} \cdot 2^{-1744}\) is what we should retain.
2. **Step 2**: It seems they made a mistake again in this simplification.

Therefore, the final simplification should correctly arrive at:

\[
\frac{3^{1308}}{2^{1744}}
\]

If you need further steps or breakdowns, feel free to ask!