Describe how (2^3)(2^-4) can be simplified
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Answer:
Add the exponents and keep the bases the same. Then find the reciprocal and change the sign of the exponent
Step-by-step explanation:
When multiplying exponents with the same base number, you can add the powers. (If it was dividing, you would subtract the powers). You would then get [tex]2^{-1}[/tex].
The pattern is to divide by 2. This means that [tex]2^{-1}[/tex] would be 1 ÷ 2 which is 1/2.
Tip: Any number to the power of -1 means to give its reciprocal.
Hope this helps!