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Ch. P - Fundamental Concepts of Algebra
Blitzer - College Algebra 8th Edition
Blitzer8th EditionCollege AlgebraISBN: 9780136970514Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 1, Problem 29

Simplify each exponential expression: (5x3y2)(2x11y2)(-5x^3y^2)(-2x^{-11}y^{-2})

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1
Identify the expression to simplify: \((-5x^{3}y^{2})(-2x^{-11}y^{-2})\).
Multiply the coefficients (numbers) together: \(-5 \times -2\).
Apply the product rule for exponents to the \(x\) terms: \(x^{3} \times x^{-11} = x^{3 + (-11)}\).
Apply the product rule for exponents to the \(y\) terms: \(y^{2} \times y^{-2} = y^{2 + (-2)}\).
Combine the results from the coefficient multiplication and the simplified variables to write the final simplified expression.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Laws of Exponents

The laws of exponents govern how to simplify expressions involving powers. Key rules include multiplying powers with the same base by adding their exponents, and handling negative exponents by rewriting them as reciprocals. These rules allow simplification of expressions like x^a * x^b = x^(a+b).
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