Question

Tuan simplified the following expression:

(b7)(b-3)/b2 (The 7,-3, and 2 are exponents.)


His final answer was in the form bn. If he simplified the expression correctly, what is the value of n, the exponent on b?

Answer 1

so he has

\[(b^7)(b ^{-3})/b^2\]

remember when multiplying exponents here....we actually add them

so

b^7 + b^-3
what is 7 + -3?

that is the exponent on b in the numerator

so we have

b^4
----
b^2

now when dividing exponents....we subtract them

so b^4 / b^2
what is 4-2?

that is our final exponent on b

b^2

i believe...anyone correct me if i'm mistaken