(40 points) Which expression is equivalent to 3^2 ⋅ 3^−5? (not giving answer choices for the best result)

Mathematics · Middle School · Sun Jan 24 2021

Answered on

Given the equation:

(3^2)(3^-5)

Determine the equivalent expression.

Solution:

In order to solve the equation, we must simply apply the rules of exponent, which deals with multiplying numbers of the same base. This can be represented by,

(n^a)(n^b)
= n^(a + b)

This means that when we multiply numbers of the same base, we simply need to add the base of those numbers.

= (3^2)(3^-5)

= (3)^(2 + (-5))

= (3)^(2 - 5)

= (3)^(-3)

= 1 / 3^3

= 0.037

Final answer:

= 0.037