Question

Tyna simplified the expression 3x^3/12x^-2 to x/4. What was Tyna’s mistake?

Answer 1

B) She added the exponents instead of subtracting them.

Answer 2

We are given expression: $\frac{3x^3}{12x^{-2}}$.

Tyna simplified the given expression to $\frac{x}{4}$.

Explanation: In order to simplify $\frac{3x^3}{12x^{-2}}$, Tyna need to simplify rational expression $\frac{3}{12}$.

On dividing top and bottom by 3, we get $\frac{1}{4}$.

Which Tyna got correct.

Now she need to simplify $\frac{x^3}{x^{-2}}$.

On applying quotient rule of exponents, we need to subtract the exponents of x's.

So, it would be $\frac{x^3}{y^-{2}} = x^3-{-2} = x^{3+2} = x^5$.

So, the final answer should be $\frac{x^5}{4}$.

Therefore, Tyan forgot to add exponent to x.

The exponent of x should be 5.