Exponent question? Please help math experts!!!!!!?

Question

Please help me solve this problem!!! I really don't get it... Please explain thoroughly and step by step

Marcel now has to simplify (8^3/2^5)^2. Explain how 8^3 can be rewritten using the base 2. Then explain how to apply the laws of exponents to simply marcel's expression.

Answer 1

Favorite Answer

8 = 2^3

so 8^3 = (2^3)^3 = 2^9

when you have the same base and are dividing, just subtract the exponents:

(2^9) / (2^5) = 2^(9-5) = 2^4

now you have (2^4)^2 = 2^8

you've used two basic rules:

1) a^m / a^n = a^(m-n)

2) (a^m)^n = a^(mn)

that's it! ;)