Question

Tyrone claims that the first step to simplify this expression

is to raise the numerator and denominator to the third
power. Alisha claims that the first step to simplify is to
apply the quotient of powers. Who is correct? Explain.
TIM​

Answer 1

1/(m^4*n^2

Explanation:

The given expression is

(m^2*n^-3)/(m^6*n^-1)

Tyrone's approach.

Raising the expression to the 3rd power will not help. It will make the expression more complicated.

Alisha's approach.

(m^2*n^-2)/(m^6*n^-1)

= m^(2-6)*n^(-3+1)

= m^-4*n^-2

= 1/(m^4*n^2)

Alisha's approach will simplify the expression to 1/(m^4*n^2

Answer 2

Both are correct. Either rule applied first will have the same result. Both rules will be used either way, and the order in which they are applied does not matter as long as they are applied correctly at each step.

Explanation:

EDGE