ACT Math : Exponents

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #11 : Exponential Operations

Simplify the following expression:

4x2 * 5x3 

Possible Answers:

20x5

20x6

9x6

5x5

9x5

Correct answer:

20x5

Explanation:

Since you are multiplying, you multiply the integers and add the exponents, giving you 20x5.

Example Question #11 : Exponents

Find the product:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Find the product:

Multiply the coefficients, and use the rule for multiplying exponents (add them):

Example Question #1 : How To Multiply Exponents

(b * b* b7)1/2/(b3 * bx) = b5  

If b is not negative then x = ?

Possible Answers:

1

–1

7

–2

Correct answer:

–2

Explanation:

Simplifying the equation gives b6/(b3+x) = b5.  

In order to satisfy this case, x must be equal to –2.

Example Question #1 : How To Multiply Exponents

If〖7/8〗n= √(〖7/8〗5),then what is the value of n?

 

Possible Answers:

5/2

1/5

2/5

√5

25

Correct answer:

5/2

Explanation:

7/8 is being raised to the 5th power and to the 1/2 power at the same time. We multiply these to find n.

Example Question #1561 : Gre Quantitative Reasoning

Simplify: (x3 * 2x4 * 5y + 4y2 + 3y2)/y

Possible Answers:

10x7 + 7y

10x7y + 7y2

None of the other answers

10x7 + 7y3

10x11 + 7y3

Correct answer:

10x7 + 7y

Explanation:

Let's do each of these separately:

x3 * 2x4 * 5y = 2 * 5 * x* x* y = 10 * x7 * y = 10x7y

4y2 + 3y2 = 7y2

Now, rewrite what we have so far:

(10x7y + 7y2)/y

There are several options for reducing this.  Remember that when we divide, we can "distribute" the denominator through to each member.  That means we can rewrite this as:

(10x7y)/y + (7y2)/y

Subtract the y exponents values in each term to get:

10x7 + 7y

Example Question #21 : Exponential Operations

Compare  and .

Possible Answers:

The answer cannot be determined from the information given.

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To compare these expressions more easily, we'll change the first expression to have  in front. We'll do this by factoring out 25 (that is, ) from 850, then using the fact that .

When we combine like terms, we can see that . The two terms are therefore both equal to the same value.

Example Question #1561 : Gre Quantitative Reasoning

Which of the following is equal to ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

 is always equal to ; therefore, 5 raised to 4 times 5 raised to 5 must equal 5 raised to 9.

 

is always equal to . Therefore, 5 raised to 9, raised to 20 must equal 5 raised to 180.

Example Question #1 : How To Multiply Exponents

Which of the following is equal to ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, multiply inside the parentheses: .

Then raise to the 7th power: .

Example Question #21 : Exponents

Simplify:

(6x^{2})^{3}\cdot x^{-7}\cdot 2x^{4}

Possible Answers:

12x^{2}

6x^{2}

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Remember, we add exponents when their bases are multiplied, and multiply exponents when one is raised to the power of another. Negative exponents flip to the denominator (presuming they originally appear in the numerator). 

(6x^{2})^{3}\cdot x^{-7}\cdot 2x^{4}

 

Example Question #11 : Exponential Operations

Evaluate:

Possible Answers:

\dpi{100} \small 78

\dpi{100} \small 81

\dpi{100} \small 27

\dpi{100} \small 30

\dpi{100} \small 24

Correct answer:

\dpi{100} \small 78

Explanation:

Can be simplified to: 

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