document.write( "Question 289325: Hey guys.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Recently in a maths textbook I read something along the lines of (xy)^3 (can't figure out how to write it so that it comes up like a power, sorry). The answer, much to my disbelief, the answer was xy^3 (as I understand it should have been x^3y^3). I wrote it off as an error in the answering sheet (something that happens somewhat often) and moved on. Now, however, I've come to an example further in the book of a question written:\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "{(ab)^2}^-4
\n" ); document.write( "it then continues:
\n" ); document.write( "(ab^2)^-4 = a^-4 b^2*-4
\n" ); document.write( " = a^-4 b^-8
\n" ); document.write( " = 1/(a^4b^8)\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "This is confusing me beyond comprehension; how is {(ab)^2}^-4 equal to (ab^2)^-4? Is it equal, or have they made yet another stuff up? Normally I'd think my previous teacher taught me wrong faced with so much evidence, but I simply can't find any consistency, everything in the brackets is raised to the -4, why not the 2? Combined with the fact that this book has had three things in a row wrong before, I'm inclined to believe who ever wrote it was either tired or drunk.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "My thanks;
\n" ); document.write( "Matt. \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #209604 by Alan3354(69443) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Maybe it's Texas math, with the emphasis on religion.
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