4.4 Simplifying Algebraic Expressions Involving Exponents Worksheet Page 4
ADVERTISEMENT
1
2
3
4
5
6
7Alana’s Solution: Simplifying, then Substituting
2n11
3n21
Each power had the same base, so
(x
) (x
)
I simplified by using exponent rules
2n25
x
before I substituted.
(2n11) 1 (3n21)
x
I added the exponents in the
5
2n25
numerator to express it as a single
x
power.
5n
x
5
2n25
x
Then I subtracted the exponents in
the denominator to divide the
(5n) 2 (2n25)
5 x
powers.
Once I had a single power,
3n15
5 x
I substituted
for x and 2 for n
23
3(2) 15
5 (23)
and evaluated.
11
5 (23)
5 2177 147
4
Simplifying an expression involving powers with
EXAMPLE
rational exponents
1
12
23
(27a
b
)
3
Simplify
.
1
2 8
12
(16a
b
)
2
Jane’s Solution
In the numerator, I applied the
1
1
12
23
1
12
23
exponent
to each number or
(27a
b
)
27
a
b
3
3
3
3
3
5
variable inside the parentheses,
1
1
12
28
28
12
(16a
b
)
16
a
b
2
2
2
2
using the power-of-a-power rule.
4
21
3a
b
I did the same in the denominator,
5
1
6
24
4a
b
applying the exponent
to the
2
numbers and variables.
3
2114
426
I simplified by subtracting the
a
b
5
4
exponents.
3
3
22
a
b
5
4
3
3a
I expressed the answer with positive
5
2
4b
exponents.
234
4.4 Simplifying Algebraic Expressions Involving Exponents
ADVERTISEMENT
0 votes
Related Articles
Related forms
Related Categories
Parent category: Education