Math Is Fun Forum

misheeru

Member

Registered: 2010-02-18

Posts: 4,594

Exponents Question?

(-5x²)³

How do I simplify this?

Last edited by misheeru (2010-09-22 06:54:57)

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Of Moons, Birds and Monsters

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Exponents Question?

Hi;

(-5)^3 * (x^2)^3 = -125 x^6

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

misheeru

Member

Registered: 2010-02-18

Posts: 4,594

Re: Exponents Question?

okay, so based on that, if the problem was:  (3b^3)^4

I'd do the same thing, so it would be: (3)^3 * (b^3)^4 = 27b^12 ?

does that look right?

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Of Moons, Birds and Monsters

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Exponents Question?

Nope!

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

misheeru

Member

Registered: 2010-02-18

Posts: 4,594

Re: Exponents Question?

oh, wait

how about: (3)^4 * (b^3)^4 = 81b ^12?

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Of Moons, Birds and Monsters

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Exponents Question?

Yes, that does appear better.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

misheeru

Member

Registered: 2010-02-18

Posts: 4,594

Re: Exponents Question?

oh really? thanks!

okay i think i'm getting the hang of this

so if it was: (4c^2)^3

Then: (4)^3 * (c^2)^3 = 64c ^6 ?

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Of Moons, Birds and Monsters

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Exponents Question?

True! But how about this one.

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

misheeru

Member

Registered: 2010-02-18

Posts: 4,594

Re: Exponents Question?

Holy math!

uh, none of the ones i've done covered so far look like that! its intimidating... can you walk me through this one?

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Of Moons, Birds and Monsters

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Exponents Question?

What part of it frightens you?

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

misheeru

Member

Registered: 2010-02-18

Posts: 4,594

Re: Exponents Question?

probably the fraction... i'm horrible with fractions. plus, i'm not sure where to start. would we work this one the same as the others?

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Of Moons, Birds and Monsters

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Exponents Question?

Now one at a time.

Follow that a little? There is more!

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

misheeru

Member

Registered: 2010-02-18

Posts: 4,594

Re: Exponents Question?

okay i get the 1st and last step, but the middle is a little hazy

that (-1) where did that come from?  did you just separate it so the (1/8) would be positive??

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Of Moons, Birds and Monsters

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Exponents Question?

I separated it to show you how to determine the sign of that expression. Whenever you see - 3x^2 or anything else negative you can always do this.

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

misheeru

Member

Registered: 2010-02-18

Posts: 4,594

Re: Exponents Question?

oh okay that makes sense, thanks! we haven't started working with ones like this. just ones that look like the problems i posted and ones with just variables that look like (x^2 y^4 z^3)^2, which are easy.

at least now i will be a little prepared when i have to do the other kind.

Last edited by misheeru (2010-09-22 08:46:10)

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Of Moons, Birds and Monsters

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Exponents Question?

Can you handle that now, or do you need more?

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

misheeru

Member

Registered: 2010-02-18

Posts: 4,594

Re: Exponents Question?

is that part of the other one?

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Of Moons, Birds and Monsters

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Exponents Question?

Yes and you do it the same way you have done the others.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

misheeru

Member

Registered: 2010-02-18

Posts: 4,594

Re: Exponents Question?

math, i'm confused a again, how do i start with this?

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Of Moons, Birds and Monsters

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Exponents Question?

You multiply the two exponents. Remember the (x^2)^3 you said 2 * 3 = 6 answer is x^6.

The exponents here are 1/2 and 5 which equals 5 / 2. So the answer is:

(x)^(5/2). The whole answer is:

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

misheeru

Member

Registered: 2010-02-18

Posts: 4,594

Re: Exponents Question?

oooh. okay. i realized you said to do it like the other one, but i wasn't sure how to do the 1/2 and the 5 part.

okay the whole example makes more sense now. thanks! and thanks for the help on the other ones.

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Of Moons, Birds and Monsters

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Exponents Question?

Your welcome, glad to help! It will get easier in time.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

misheeru

Member

Registered: 2010-02-18

Posts: 4,594

Re: Exponents Question?

yeah i hope so. maybe i'll even get as good as you! wishful thinking FTW!

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Of Moons, Birds and Monsters

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: Exponents Question?

Hi misheeru;

maybe i'll even get as good as you!

Heavens forbid! I trained a few people they all got better than me.

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

misheeru

Member

Registered: 2010-02-18

Posts: 4,594

Re: Exponents Question?

Lol, you don't have to worry. like i said its wishful thinking!

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Of Moons, Birds and Monsters