crappiefisher26 said:
the original expressions are
(2a to the -3) to the -4
and
(3x to the 2) to the -3
kinda confused on how to work these type out.
I'll walk you through the first problem.
(2 a<sup>-3</sup>)<sup>-4</sup>
This is a
product raised to a power, so we need this rule:
(ab)<sup>n</sup> = a<sup>n</sup> b<sup>n</sup>
When a product is raised to a power, each factor is raised to that power. Apply this rule to your problem:
2<sup>-4</sup> (a<sup>-3</sup>)<sup>-4</sup>
Next, we have a
power raised to a power, so we need another rule:
(a<sup>m</sup>)<sup>n</sup> = a<sup>m*n</sup>
That is, when you raise a power to a power, you multiply the exponents. Apply this rule to your problem:
2<sup>-4</sup> a<sup>(-3)*(-4)</sup>
2<sup>-4</sup> a<sup>12</sup>
Finally, we need to deal with the negative exponent on 2<sup>-4</sup>. Remember that
a<sup>-n</sup> = 1 / a<sup>n</sup>
Apply this rule:
(1 / 2<sup>4</sup>) * a<sup>12</sup>
(1/16) a<sup>12</sup>
or,
a<sup>12</sup> / 16
Now, the second problem is done in much the same way. See what you can do with it. If you have difficulty, please repost showing all of your steps.