Question 653228: i have the expression 2^5*2^-7 and i know the simplified answer with out negative exponents is 1/4 but i was wondering if you can show me how to get that? thanks
Answer by Shana-D77(132)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! "simplified" means a lot of things. When exponents are involved, it means "no negative exponents".
Any negative exponent on the top (numerator) of a fraction becomes positive on the bottom (denominator). Any negative exponent in the denominator becomes positive in the numerator.
You have:
(2^5)(2^-7). This is all in the numerator. We can rewrite as:
(2^5) / (2^7)
Now, where are there more 2's?
In the denominator.
How many more?
2 more.
So, there is 2^2 more in the denominator.
Therefore, the answer is 1/(2^2) or 1/4.
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