Question

Interpreting Equivalent Expressions
Determine the value of the variable in the simplified expressions.

What is the value of x?


gx + h−3 =
1
g6
+
1
h3

x =


What is the value of y?

b4c−7 =
by
c7

y =

Answer 1

Interpreting exponents:

1) g^x h^(−3) = 1/(g^6 h^3) = g^(−6) h^(−3).
Compare exponents of g: x = −6.

2) b^4 c^(−7) = b^y / c^7 = b^y c^(−7).
Compare exponents of b: y = 4.

Answers: x = −6, y = 4.