document.write( "Question 479480: (4^-1 + 2^-1)^2\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I know that i have to apply the negative exponent property to each term, and then get a common denominator and add, but that is about all i can figure out. \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #328519 by Edwin McCravy(20060) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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document.write( "(4^-1 + 2^-1)²\r\n" );
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document.write( "I'll do it different from the way the other tutor did it, just\r\n" );
document.write( "to illustrate another method:\r\n" );
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document.write( "Let's wait till later to apply the negative exponent property:\r\n" );
document.write( "Let's write 4 as 2²\r\n" );
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document.write( "[(2²)^-1 + 2^-1]²\r\n" );
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document.write( "(2^-2 + 2^-1)²\r\n" );
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document.write( "(2^-2 + 2^-1)(2^-2 + 2^-1)\r\n" );
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document.write( "Us FOIL and add exponents to multiply\r\n" );
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document.write( "2^-4 + 2^-3 + 2^-3 + 2^-2\r\n" );
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document.write( "Combine the middle two terms as 2 of them\r\n" );
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document.write( "2^-4 + 2×2^-3 + 2^-2\r\n" );
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document.write( "Add exponents in the middle term\r\n" );
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document.write( "2^-4 + 2^-2 + 2^-2\r\n" );
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document.write( "Now the middle and last terms can be combined as two of them: \r\n" );
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document.write( "2^-4 + 2×2^-2\r\n" );
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document.write( "Add exponents to simplify the second term:\r\n" );
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document.write( "2^-4 + 2^-1\r\n" );
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document.write( "Finally we apply the negative exponent property:\r\n" );
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document.write( "Get a LCD of 16\r\n" );
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document.write( " +  \r\n" );
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document.write( "Edwin

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