Question

The lowest altitude of an altocumulus cloud is about 3 to the eighth power feet. The highest altitude of an altocumulus cloud is about 3 times the lowest altitude. What is the highest altitude of an altocumulus cloud? Write your answer as a power.

Answer 1

The right question is that the lowest altitute is 3^8 feet

You are told that the highest altitude is 3 times the lowest altitude => 

highest altitude = 3 * lowest altitude = 3 * 3^8 feet.

Now you use the ruel of mutiplication of powers with the same base: copy the base and sum the exponents => 3 * 3^8 = 3 ^(1+8) = 3^9.

Note: remember that 3 = 3^1.

Answer: 3^9 feet - ALL CREDIT GOES TO EDUFIRST!