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The expression (a6×b3×c8)(a5×b9×c1) in simplified form is:
(a4)×(b−10)×(c1)
(a−10)×(b−5)×(c−8)
(a−5)×(b3)×(c−6)
(a−1)×(b6)×(c−7)
(a−1)×(b6)×(c−7)
Subtract the exponent of the denominator from the exponent of the numerator for each base: a: 5-6 = -1; b: 9-3 = 6; c: 1-8 = -7.
Expression to simplify: (a⁵ × b⁹ × c¹) / (a⁶ × b³ × c⁸)
xnxm=xm−n
Subtract the exponent of the denominator from the exponent of the numerator for each base: a: 5-6 = -1; b: 9-3 = 6; c: 1-8 = -7.
Students often swap the subtraction order (n-m) or make arithmetic errors with negative numbers when calculating exponents.
Group terms by base
To simplify, rewrite the expression by grouping terms with the same base a, b, and c.
a6a5×b3b9×c8c1
Apply exponent rule
Use the quotient rule for exponents: xnxm=xm−n. Apply this to each base.
a5−6×b9−3×c1−8
Calculate final exponents
Perform the subtraction for each variable: 5−6=−1, 9−3=6, and 1−8=−7.
a−1×b6×c−7
D is correct because applying the quotient rule for exponents xnxm=xm−n to the given expression yields a−1×b6×c−7.
This concept is foundational for scientific notation and calculus (differentiation of polynomials), where you frequently move between denominators and negative exponents.