Question #3c8d4

1 Answer
Oct 15, 2015

n = 22/15

Explanation:

Your starting equation looks like this

(a^4)^(1/5) * (a^2)^(1/3) = a^n

You will use two properties of exponents to find the value of n

  • the power of a power property
  • power of a product property

Let's start with the first one. According to the power of a power property of exponents, you have

color(blue)((a^x)^y = a ^(x * y))

In your case, you have

(a^4)^(1/5) = a^(4 * 1/5) = a^(4/5)

and

(a^2)^(1/3) = a^(2 * 1/3) = a^(2/3)

So the equation becomes

a^(4/5) * a^(2/3) = a^n

Now focus on the second property, the power of a product property, which tells you that

color(blue)(a^(x) * a^(y) = a^(x+y))

In your case, you have

a^(4/5) * a^(2/3) = a^(4/5 + 2/3) = a^((4 * 3 + 2 * 5)/(3 * 5)) = a^(22/15)

The equation is now

a^(22/15) = a^n

In order for these two terms to be equal, you need the exponents of the equal. In other words,

a^(22/15) = a^(n) <=> n = color(green)(22/15)