Question

These students were asked to simplify: 2⋅3−45−2
2
⋅
3
−
4
5
−
2


Adam wrote: 2⋅5234
2
⋅
5
2
3
4


Nick wrote: 522⋅34
5
2
2
⋅
3
4


Shane wrote: 2⋅3452
2
⋅
3
4
5
2


(1 point)
Responses

Adam is correct because the negative exponent moves the base to the other side of the fraction bar and makes the exponent positive.
Adam is correct because the negative exponent moves the base to the other side of the fraction bar and makes the exponent positive.

Shane is correct because all that needs to be done is to make the negative exponents positive.
Shane is correct because all that needs to be done is to make the negative exponents positive.

Nick is correct because the negative exponent in the numerator moves the whole numerator into the denominator and makes the exponent positive.
Nick is correct because the negative exponent in the numerator moves the whole numerator into the denominator and makes the exponent positive.

None of

Answer 1

Adam is correct.

Reason: (2·3^(−4))/(5^(−2)) = 2·3^(−4)·5^2 = (2·5^2)/(3^4). Moving a factor with a negative exponent across the fraction bar makes the exponent positive.