Question 201·Hard·Equivalent Expressions
The expression
where and , is equivalent to which of the following?
For exponent simplification questions, work systematically: first handle any parentheses with outside exponents using and , then combine like bases in the numerator by adding exponents, then handle division by subtracting exponents of like bases. Keep track of signs carefully—especially when subtracting negative exponents—and only at the end rewrite the expression so all exponents are positive, moving factors with negative exponents to the denominator. This step-by-step approach minimizes errors and makes it easier to match your final form to one of the answer choices.
Hints
Start with the power on the parentheses
Focus first on . Use and to distribute the exponent to 27, , and .
Combine like bases in the numerator
Once you have simplified , multiply it by . Remember: when you multiply powers with the same base, you add the exponents.
Handle the division and signs of exponents
Write the whole expression as a single fraction. When dividing by , think carefully about subtracting a negative exponent. After simplifying, convert any negative exponents into positive ones by moving those factors to the denominator.
Desmos Guide
Enter the original expression
Type the original expression into Desmos exactly as given, for example as (27*m^(-4/3)*n^(1/2))^(2/3)*m^(1/2)*n^(-5/4)/(3*n^(-1/6)). Desmos will create sliders for and ; set them to positive values (like , ) since and .
Enter each answer choice as a separate expression
On new lines, type each answer choice expression (A through D) using the same and variables. For example, one line for 3/(m^(7/9)*n^(3/4)), another for 3/(m^(7/18)*n^(5/12)), another for 3*m^(7/18)*n^(3/4), and another for 3/(m^(7/18)*n^(3/4)).
Compare numerical values for several positive inputs
Change the slider values of and to several different positive values (for example, , ; then , ). For each pair , compare the numeric value of the original expression to each answer choice. The correct answer is the one whose value always matches the original expression for all tested positive values of and .
Step-by-step Explanation
Apply the power to the parentheses
Start with the part
Use and :
- : since , then .
- raised to gives .
- raised to gives .
So
Now the whole numerator is
Combine exponents in the numerator
Combine like bases in
For like bases, add exponents:
-
For : .
- Common denominator : and .
- Sum: , so we get .
-
For : .
- Common denominator : and .
- Sum: , so we get .
So the numerator simplifies to
The whole expression is now
Divide by the denominator using exponent rules
Now simplify
First, simplify the numerical coefficients:
- .
Next, handle each variable:
- There is no in the denominator, so the exponent on stays .
- For , when dividing powers with the same base, subtract exponents:
- Exponent in numerator: .
- Exponent in denominator: .
- New exponent: .
- Convert to twelfths: , so
- So we get .
The expression is now
Rewrite with positive exponents and match the choice
Use the rule to move factors with negative exponents to the denominator:
This matches answer choice D, so the expression is equivalent to