variable expressions with exponents quick check

1 answer

Sure! Here are some concepts and a quick check related to variable expressions with exponents:

Key Concepts

  1. Exponent Rules:

    • Product of Powers: \( a^m \times a^n = a^{m+n} \)
    • Quotient of Powers: \( \frac{a^m}{a^n} = a^{m-n} \) (where \( a \neq 0 \))
    • Power of a Power: \( (a^m)^n = a^{m \cdot n} \)
    • Power of a Product: \( (ab)^n = a^n b^n \)
    • Power of a Quotient: \( \left(\frac{a}{b}\right)^n = \frac{a^n}{b^n} \) (where \( b \neq 0 \))
  2. Zero Exponent:

    • \( a^0 = 1 \) (where \( a \neq 0 \))
  3. Negative Exponent:

    • \( a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n} \) (where \( a \neq 0 \))

Quick Check Examples

Let's evaluate and simplify the following expressions:

  1. Expression: \( x^3 \times x^2 \)
    Simplified:
    \( x^{3+2} = x^5 \)

  2. Expression: \( \frac{y^4}{y^2} \)
    Simplified:
    \( y^{4-2} = y^2 \)

  3. Expression: \( (2x^2)^3 \)
    Simplified:
    \( 2^3 (x^2)^3 = 8x^{2 \cdot 3} = 8x^6 \)

  4. Expression: \( (ab)^2 \)
    Simplified:
    \( a^2 b^2 \)

  5. Expression: \( \frac{3x^{-1}}{y^2} \)
    Simplified:
    \( \frac{3}{xy^2} \) (since \( x^{-1} = \frac{1}{x} \))

  6. Expression: \( (x^3y^2)^2 \)
    Simplified:
    \( x^{3\cdot2} y^{2\cdot2} = x^6 y^4 \)

Practice Problems

Try simplifying the following:

  1. \( a^2 \times a^5 \)
  2. \( \frac{m^5}{m^3} \)
  3. \( (3x^2y)^2 \)
  4. \( (2^3 \cdot x^{-5})^2 \)
  5. \( \left(\frac{p^4}{q^2}\right)^{-1} \)

Feel free to check your answers, and let me know if you need help!