How do you write #5t^-3*3t^-8# using only positive exponents?

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Answer 1 · 2017-02-16T13:59:25

First, we can rewrite this expression as:

#(5 * 3)(t^-3 * t^-8) = 15(t^-3 * t^-8)#

Next, use this rule for exponents to combine the #t# terms:

#x^color(red)(a) xx x^color(blue)(b) = x^(color(red)(a) + color(blue)(b))#

#15(t^color(red)(-3) xx t^color(blue)(-8)) = 15t^(color(red)(-3) + color(blue)(-8)) = 15t^-11#

Now, use this rule for exponents to eliminate the negative exponent:

#x^color(red)(a) = 1/x^color(red)(-a)#

#15t^color(red)(-11) = 15/t^color(red)(- -11) = 15/t^11#