Question

simplify (8x) -2 to the second power

Answer 1

\[a^{-1}=\frac{1}{a}\]

Answer 2

Im still confused with you answer and my question

Answer 3

The - part of the exponent means "the reciprocal of"

Answer 4

So (8x)^-2 means "the reciprocal of 8x" raised to the second power.

Answer 5

ok so would that mean the answer is 8*8?

Answer 6

What is the reciprocal of 8x?

Answer 7

the problem just asks simplify (8x)^-2

Answer 8

What is the reciprocal of 8x?

Answer 9

@Mertsj

Answer 10

I am aware of what the problem says.

Answer 11

ok would it be -64

Answer 12

What is the reciprocal of 8x?

Answer 13

1

Answer 14

So the reason you are having trouble is that you don't know what a reciprocal is?

Answer 15

correct

Answer 16

Let me show you some examples:

Answer 17

ok great

Answer 18

So, I ask you for the fourth and final time....what is the reciprocal of 8x ?

Answer 19

1/8x

Answer 20

Now we are making progress.

Answer 21

\[(8x)^{-2}\]
means take the reciprocal of 8x and square it.

Answer 22

ok im getting a better understanding now

Answer 23

So now that we know what the reciprocal is, we have:
\[(8x)^{-2}=(\frac{1}{8x})^2=\frac{1^2}{8^2x^2}=\frac{1}{64x^2}\]

Answer 24

so instead of being 1/64^-2 it will be 1/64^2

Answer 25

It will be:
\[\frac{1}{64x^2}\]

Answer 26

great thanks

Answer 27

yw