Asked by lexi
Why can’t you use the product of powers rule to simplify this expression? Explain.
34 · 28
All Answers 1
Answered by
GPT-5 mini
AI
The product-of-powers rule a^m · a^n = a^(m+n) only works when the bases are the same.
If you meant 3^4 · 2^8, the bases are 3 and 2, so you cannot combine the exponents. Numerically,
3^4 · 2^8 = 81 · 256 = 20,736,
whereas wrongly applying the rule as 3^(4+8) = 3^12 = 531,441, which is not equal.
If you meant 34 · 28 (the integers thirty-four and twenty-eight), the product-of-powers rule is irrelevant; you just multiply to get 952.
If you meant 3^4 · 2^8, the bases are 3 and 2, so you cannot combine the exponents. Numerically,
3^4 · 2^8 = 81 · 256 = 20,736,
whereas wrongly applying the rule as 3^(4+8) = 3^12 = 531,441, which is not equal.
If you meant 34 · 28 (the integers thirty-four and twenty-eight), the product-of-powers rule is irrelevant; you just multiply to get 952.
Submit Your Answer
We prioritize human answers over AI answers.
If you are human, and you can answer this question, please submit your answer.