Jamie evaluated this expression.

StartFraction left-bracket (2 cubed) (2) right-bracket Superscript 4 Baseline Over 2 Superscript 10 Baseline Endfraction

step 1: StartFraction left-bracket (2 Superscript 4 Baseline) Superscript 4 Baseline Over 2 Superscript 10 EndFraction

step 2: StartFraction 2 Superscript 16 Over 2 Superscript 10 EndFraction

step 3: 26

step 4: 64

Analyze the steps Jamie applied to evaluate the expression.

Which rule of exponents was applied in each step?

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

1 answer

Let's analyze the steps Jamie applied to evaluate the expression:

Step 1:

Expression: \(\frac{[(2^3)(2)]^4}{2^{10}}\)

  • Transformation: Jamie rewrote it as \(\frac{(2^4)^4}{2^{10}}\).

Rule Applied: This step involves the Product of Powers Rule, which states that when you multiply two expressions with the same base, you add their exponents. In the original expression, \( (2^3)(2) \) simplifies to \( 2^{3+1} = 2^4 \).

Step 2:

Expression: \(\frac{(2^4)^4}{2^{10}}\)

  • Transformation: Jamie simplified \((2^4)^4\) to \(2^{16}\).

Rule Applied: This step uses the Power of a Power Rule, which states that when you raise a power to another power, you multiply the exponents: \( (a^m)^n = a^{m \cdot n} \).

Step 3:

Expression: \(\frac{2^{16}}{2^{10}}\)

  • Transformation: Jamie simplified the fraction to \(2^{16 - 10}\).

Rule Applied: This step applies the Quotient of Powers Rule, which states that when you divide two expressions with the same base, you subtract the exponents: \(\frac{a^m}{a^n} = a^{m-n}\).

Summary of Rules Applied:

  • Step 1: Product of Powers Rule
  • Step 2: Power of a Power Rule
  • Step 3: Quotient of Powers Rule

Final Answer: Jamie made a computational error in Step 3. The correct computation would yield \(2^6\), which equals \(64\), confirming that Step 4 is correct.