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Simplify each expression. \( \left(2 a^{4}\right)^{-3}, \boldsymbol{a} \neq 0 \) \( \frac{1}{8 a^{7}} \) \( \frac{1}{2 a^{12}} \) \( \frac{1}{8 a^{12}} \) \( \frac{1}{2 a^{7}} \)

Ask by Perkins Ross. in the United States
Feb 24,2025

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Answer

Simplified expressions: 1. \( \left(2a^{4}\right)^{-3} = \frac{1}{8a^{12}} \) 2. \( \frac{1}{8a^{7}} \) remains as is. 3. \( \frac{1}{2a^{12}} \) remains as is. 4. \( \frac{1}{8a^{12}} \) remains as is. 5. \( \frac{1}{2a^{7}} \) remains as is.

Solution

We wish to simplify each expression so that there are no negative exponents and the answer is in “simplest form.” Recall that when you have a product raised to a power you can apply the rule   (xy)^n = x^n · y^n and that a negative exponent means   x^(–n) = 1/(x^n). Below are the individual steps for each: 1. Simplify (2a⁴)^(–3):  a. Write (2a⁴)^(–3) as 2^(–3) · (a⁴)^(–3).  b. Compute 2^(–3) = 1/2³ = 1/8.  c. Also, (a⁴)^(–3) = a^(4·(–3)) = a^(–12).  d. So, (2a⁴)^(–3) = (1/8) · a^(–12) = 1/(8a¹²). 2. The expression 1/(8a⁷) is already written with positive exponents and cannot be simplified further. 3. The expression 1/(2a¹²) is also already in simplest form. 4. The expression 1/(8a¹²) is in simplest form. (Notice that this is the same as the result we got for (2a⁴)^(–3).) 5. The expression 1/(2a⁷) is already simplified. Thus, our simplified answers are:  (2a⁴)^(–3) = 1/(8a¹²)  1/(8a⁷) remains 1/(8a⁷)  1/(2a¹²) remains 1/(2a¹²)  1/(8a¹²) remains 1/(8a¹²)  1/(2a⁷) remains 1/(2a⁷)

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Bonus Knowledge

Let's simplify each expression step by step! 1. To simplify \( \left(2 a^{4}\right)^{-3} \), we apply the negative exponent rule, which states that \( x^{-n} = \frac{1}{x^{n}} \). Thus: \[ \left(2 a^{4}\right)^{-3} = \frac{1}{(2 a^{4})^{3}} = \frac{1}{2^{3} (a^{4})^{3}} = \frac{1}{8 a^{12}}. \] 2. The expression \( \frac{1}{8 a^{7}} \) is already in its simplest form. Nothing further can be simplified here! 3. For \( \frac{1}{2 a^{12}} \), this is also in simplest form, straightforward and neat! 4. Again, \( \frac{1}{8 a^{12}} \) does not require any further simplification—it’s good as is! 5. Lastly, \( \frac{1}{2 a^{7}} \) is likewise in its simplest form and doesn't need any changes. So, in summary: - \( \left(2 a^{4}\right)^{-3} = \frac{1}{8 a^{12}} \) - No further simplifications for any others: - \( \frac{1}{8 a^{7}} \) - \( \frac{1}{2 a^{12}} \) - \( \frac{1}{8 a^{12}} \) - \( \frac{1}{2 a^{7}} \)

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