Question

Use exponent properties to simplify the following expression with a positive exponent:

3⁴ / 3⁸

a) 1/81
b) 1/27
c) 1/9
d) 1/3

Answer 1

To simplify the expression 3⁴ / 3⁸, subtract the exponents which results in 3^(-4) = 1 / 81.

Step-by-step explanation:

To simplify the expression 3⁴ / 3⁸, we can use the exponent property that states when dividing with the same base, subtract the exponents. In this case, we have 3 raised to the power of 4 in the numerator and 3 raised to the power of 8 in the denominator.

Subtracting the exponents, we get 3^(4-8) = 3^(-4).

Therefore, the simplified expression is 1 / 3^4 = 1 / 81.