Question 36976: 5x^4-12x^3=0
these exponents are blowing my mind.
Answer by josmiceli(19441)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Think of exponents in the simplest way possible. Forget x, y, z, etc.
2 is a simple number (1 is really too simple for this)
count up the # of 2's - that's the exponent
now multiply
you just add the exponents
It's a lot easier to write  than all those 2's
That's the point of exponents- it's EASIER
but you have to acquire rules
like how do you add? 
not obvious
do it the long way, too
I just factored out 2*2*2*2
go back and forth
easy way - hard way
easy way - hard way
If you play with it enough and show yourself what's true and
what isn't- you'll have no trouble with the x's, y's, and z's
I factored out x^3
what makes this true?
If x is zero, I get
0 times something = 0
that's certainly true
Inside the parenthesis, if x= 12/5, then
12/5*(12/5 - 12/5) = 0
that's certainly true, also
x = 0
x = 12/5
are the solutions
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