ACT Math : Exponential Operations

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ACT Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Exponential Operations

Simplify: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When an exponent is raised to an exponent, multiply the two together to yield a new exponent, and attach that exponent to the original base. 

In this case, multiply  and  to yield , and your answer is .

Example Question #32 : How To Multiply Exponents

Solve:  when .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When an exponent is raised to another exponent, you may multiply them together to find the exponent of the answer. Attach that exponent to the original base, and that is the solution. 

In this particular problem, multiply  by , which yields  as the final exponent. This makes .

Now, substitute  for .

Example Question #32 : Exponential Operations

What is

?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Negative exponents are reciprocals. Do not change the sign to negative.

The variables with negative exponents can be written as their reciprocals.

,

Multiplying these new forms together gives,

From here, simplify by factoring out a common factor from the numerator and denominator.

Example Question #731 : Algebra

Simplify the following:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

To solve, simply distribute the outer exponent. When you have an exponent to an exponent, you multiply their values. Thus,

Example Question #33 : Exponential Operations

Which of the following is a value of x that satisfies 

Possible Answers:

3

0

4

2

1

Correct answer:

2

Explanation:

This question incorporates properties of exponents. The best way to solve this problem is to establish the same base for all of the terms. 

 

Now use the properties of exponents to simplify the left side of the equation. When exponential terms with the same base are multiplied, the exponents are added.

 

Now, with the left side simplified, set that equal to .

 

Since each side has one term with the same base, simply set the exponents equal to each other and solve for x.

Example Question #1 : How To Add Exponents

For all x, 2x2 times 12x3 equals...

Possible Answers:

0

24x6

24x5

14x5

14x6

Correct answer:

24x5

Explanation:

You multiply the integers, then add the exponents on the x's, giving you 24x5.

Example Question #34 : Exponential Operations

Multiply: 2x² * 3x

Possible Answers:

5x3

6x3

2x3

5x

6x²

Correct answer:

6x3

Explanation:

When multiplying exponents you smiply add the exponents.

For 2x² times 3x, 2 times 3 is 6, and 2 + 1 is 3, so 2x² times 3x = 6x3

Example Question #3 : How To Add Exponents

 What is 23 + 22 ?

 

Possible Answers:

64

32

20

12

Correct answer:

12

Explanation:

Using the rules of exponents, 23 + 22 = 8 + 4 = 12

 

Example Question #35 : Exponential Operations

Solve for  where:

 

Possible Answers:

2

3

5

1

9

Correct answer:

1

Explanation:

The only value of x where the two equations equal each other is 1. All you have to do is substitute the answer choices in for x.

Example Question #5 : How To Add Exponents

A particle travels 9 x 107 meters per second in a straight line for 12 x 10-6 seconds. How many meters has it traveled?

Possible Answers:

1.08 x 103

1.08

1.08 x 10

1.08 x 105

Correct answer:

1.08 x 103

Explanation:

Multiplying the two numbers yields 1080. Expressed in scientific notation 1080 is 1.08 x 103.

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