Question

Tyler simplified the expression x³y9. His procedure is shown below.

1
31/1
³y-9
What is Tyler's error?
Both powers should be in the numerator with positive exponents.
Both powers should be in the denominator with positive exponents.
The power
The power
should be in the numerator and the power y9 in the denominator.
should be in the numerator and the power x3 in the denominator.

Answer 1

(b) both powers should be in the denominator with positive exponents

Explanation:

The applicable rule of exponents is ...

a^-b = 1/a^b

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The correct simplification is ...

`x^(-3)y^(-9)=(1)/(x^3)\cdot(1)/(y^9)=\boxed{(1)/(x^3y^9)}`

Both variables should have positive exponents in the denominator.