To simplify the expression \( 2x^5 \cdot 12x^{-4} \), you would use the following exponent rules:
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Product Rule for Exponents: When multiplying like bases, you add the exponents. So for \( x^5 \cdot x^{-4} \), you would add the exponents: \[ 5 + (-4) = 1. \] This means \( x^5 \cdot x^{-4} = x^{1} \).
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Multiplying Coefficients: You would multiply the coefficients \( 2 \) and \( 12 \): \[ 2 \cdot 12 = 24. \]
Putting it all together, the simplified expression would be: \[ 24x^1 \quad \text{or simply} \quad 24x. \]
Thus, the appropriate choice from your responses would be the one that mentions using the product exponent rule to add the exponents and multiplying the coefficients.