Question

Simplify 32 to the negative 3 fifths power

Answer 1

32 = 2^5 so using index notation (2^5)^-3/5

multiply the powers gives 2^-3 or 1/8

Answer 2

Eat the elephant one bite at a time:\[32^{-3/5} =(\sqrt[5]{32})^{-3}=(\sqrt[5]{2^5})^{-3}=2^{-3}=1/8\]

Answer 3

Campbell, I think your method is probably more elegant. Nice work.