Algebra II : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Algebra II

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Example Questions

Example Question #231 : Simplifying Exponents

Simplify: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Although we don't have the same base, we know that . Therefore we have 

When dividing exponents with the same base, we subtract the exponents and keep the base the same.

Example Question #51 : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Simplify: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When dealing with exponents raising another exponent, we just multiply the powers and keep the base the same.

Example Question #233 : Simplifying Exponents

Simplify .

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The problem uses both the Power of a Product Property and the Power of a Power Property of exponents.

First multiply the terms inside the parentheses:

Now raise the term to the 3rd power:

Negative exponents mean that the term belongs in the denominator:

 

Example Question #51 : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Simplify: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Although we don't have the same base, we know that . Therefore 

When multiplying exponents with the same base, we just add the exponents and keep the base the same.

Example Question #52 : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Simplify:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When the terms are braced and are raised to a power of four, this is similar to multiplying the quantified terms by itself four times.

This also means that the powers inside the brace can be multiplied the power outside of the parentheses.

The answer is:  

Example Question #53 : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Simplify:

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The power that's outside of the parentheses needs to be distributed to every term inside the parentheses:

.

When there's a power outside the parentheses, the exponents are multiplied:

.

To get rid of the negative exponent, put it on the denominator:

.

Example Question #54 : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Simplify:  

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Because the bases are not common, we cannot apply the power rule as is.

We will need to convert the to a common base in order to rewrite the exponents.

The base eight is the same as two to the power of three.

Rewrite the second term with a base of two.

Simplify the exponents.  Now that the bases are common, they can be combined as one exponent.

The correct answer is:  

Example Question #55 : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Evaluate:   

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The product rule for exponents can be applied when there is an exponent applied to a quantity.

Multiply the powers together for each variable and then distribute the integer.  Do not raise the integer to the power of five since it is not inside the parentheses.

The answer is:  

Example Question #52 : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Simplify: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When dealing with exponents being raised by another exponent, we just multiply the powers and keep the base the same.

Example Question #53 : Distributing Exponents (Power Rule)

Simplify: 

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

When dealing with exponents being raised by another exponent, we just multiply the powers and keep the base the same.

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