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Mathematics 8 Online
OpenStudy (samirahdanyel):

I know its -1 but someone help me

OpenStudy (samirahdanyel):

OpenStudy (phi):

start by ignoring the exponents. if you have 1/12 * 12 would you get 12 ?

OpenStudy (phi):

\[ \frac{1}{12} \cdot 12 = 1\]

OpenStudy (samirahdanyel):

you would get 1

OpenStudy (phi):

on the other hand if we had \[ \frac{1}{12} \cdot 12\cdot 12 = 12\] or \[ \frac{12^2}{12^1} = 12 \]

OpenStudy (samirahdanyel):

okay . so whats the next step

OpenStudy (phi):

maybe that is not the best idea. Let's use the "flip" rule and flip the 1/12 to get 12 and change the exponent by multiplying by -1 \[ \left(\frac{1}{12}\right)^{-2b} = 12^{2b} \]

OpenStudy (phi):

notice -2b*-1 becomes +2b now the problem is \[ 12^{2b}\cdot 12^{-2b+2} = 12^1 \] when you multiply the same numbers (i.e. the 12's) you can add their exponents

OpenStudy (phi):

what do you get if you add the exponents on the left side.

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