Apply the product rule of integer exponents to find the numerical equivalent of 12 ^ - 5 * 12 ^ 7 Show your work and explain how you used the product rule of integer exponents. (2 points)

1 answer

The product rule of integer exponents states that when you multiply two exponential expressions with the same base, you add the exponents.

In this case, we have 12 ^ -5 * 12^7. These expressions have the same base, which is 12.

Using the product rule, we add the exponents:
12^(-5+7)

Now we simplify the exponent:
12^2

Therefore, the numerical equivalent of 12 ^ - 5 * 12 ^ 7 is 12^2.