How do you simplify #3^5/3# and write it using only positive exponents?

1 Answer
Feb 15, 2017

#3^4#

Explanation:

#color(blue)("Preamble")#

Although not normally done it quite correct to write #3" as "3^1#

#3^5# is the same as #3^1xx3^1xx3^1xx3^1xx3^1#

#=3^(1+1+1+1+1)=3^5#

So this is also the same as #3^(1+4) =3xx3^4#
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#color(blue)("Answering the question")#

Write as #(3xx3^4)/3#

This is the same as #3/3xx3^4#

but #3/3=1# giving

#1xx3^4 " which is just "3^4#