Question

Describe how (2^3)(2^-4) can be simplified

Answer 1

Answer:

Add the exponents and keep the bases the same. Then find the reciprocal and change the sign of the exponent

Step-by-step explanation:

When multiplying exponents with the same base number, you can add the powers. (If it was dividing, you would subtract the powers). You would then get $2^{-1}$.

• 2³ = 8,
• 2² = 4,
• 2^1 = 2,
• 2^0 = 1

The pattern is to divide by 2. This means that $2^{-1}$ would be 1 ÷ 2 which is 1/2.

Tip: Any number to the power of -1 means to give its reciprocal.

Hope this helps!