How do you simplify and write #(3.89)^-5 * (3.89)^6# with positive exponents?

1 Answer
Jun 15, 2018

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

Use this rule of exponents: #x^color(red)(a) xx x^color(blue)(b) = x^(color(red)(a) + color(blue)(b))#

Substitute #3.89# for #x# giving:

#(3.89)^color(red)(-5) xx (3.89)^color(blue)(6) => 3.89^(color(red)(-5) + color(blue)(6)) => 3.89^1#

If necessary, we can further simplify the expression using this rule of exponents:

#a^color(red)(1) = a#

#3.89^color(red)(1) = 3.89#