Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Exponential Rules
Exponential rules are fundamental properties that govern the manipulation of expressions involving exponents. Key rules include the product of powers (a^m * a^n = a^(m+n)), the power of a power ( (a^m)^n = a^(m*n)), and the negative exponent rule (a^(-n) = 1/a^n). Understanding these rules is essential for simplifying expressions with exponents.
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Negative Exponents
Negative exponents indicate the reciprocal of the base raised to the opposite positive exponent. For example, y^(-n) can be rewritten as 1/y^n. This concept is crucial when simplifying expressions, as it allows for the transformation of negative exponents into a more manageable form, facilitating further simplification.
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Combining Exponential Expressions
Combining exponential expressions involves applying the rules of exponents to merge or simplify multiple terms. This includes distributing exponents across products and sums, as well as combining like bases. Mastery of this concept is necessary to effectively simplify complex expressions, such as the one presented in the question.
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