Question

Dahlia is simplifying (3 t) Superscript 4 using these steps:

(3 t) Superscript 4 = 3 t times 3 t times 3 t times 3 t = 3 times 3 times 3 times 3 times t times t times t times t


Although Dahlia is correct so far, which step could she have used instead to simplify the expression (3 t) Superscript 4?
(3 t) Superscript 4 = 3 t Superscript 4
3 Superscript 4 Baseline t = 81 t
4 (3 t) = 12 t
3 Superscript 4 Baseline t Superscript 4 Baseline = 81 t Superscript 4

Answer 1

Use the rule (ab)^n = a^n b^n. So

(3t)^4 = 3^4 t^4 = 81 t^4.

(Options that put the 4 only on 3 or only as a factor are incorrect.)