Question

How do you simplify the expression `(2m^3n^-1)(8m^4n^-2)` using the properties?

Answer 1

`(16m^7)/n^3`

Explanation:

The operation here is multiplication.
The multiplication property which applies to indices is:

If the bases are the same, add the indices.

`2m^3n^-1 xx 8m^4n^-2`

`=2xx8 xxm^3 xx m^4xxn^-1xxn^-2`

`=16m^7n^-3" "larr (x^-m = 1/x^m)`

`=(16m^7)/n^3`