(a^3)^2 Answer

3 min read Jul 03, 2024
(a^3)^2 Answer

Exponent Rules: Simplifying (a^3)^2

When working with exponents, it's essential to understand the rules and properties that govern them. In this article, we'll explore the exponent rule that helps us simplify expressions like (a^3)^2.

The Power of a Power Rule

The power of a power rule states that when you raise a power to another power, you multiply the exponents. Mathematically, this can be represented as:

(a^m)^n = a^(mn)

Where 'm' and 'n' are integers, and 'a' is a real number.

Simplifying (a^3)^2

Now, let's apply this rule to simplify the expression (a^3)^2:

(a^3)^2 = a^(3*2) (a^3)^2 = a^6

As you can see, by applying the power of a power rule, we can simplify the expression (a^3)^2 to a^6.

Why Does This Rule Work?

To understand why this rule works, let's think about what each exponent represents. The exponent '3' in a^3 represents three instances of 'a' multiplied together:

a^3 = aaa

Now, when we raise this to the power of 2, we're essentially multiplying three instances of 'a' together twice:

(a^3)^2 = (aaa)^2 (a^3)^2 = (aaa)(aa*a) (a^3)^2 = aaaaa*a

Simplifying this expression, we get:

(a^3)^2 = a^6

This demonstrates why the power of a power rule works: it allows us to simplify complex exponent expressions by multiplying the exponents together.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the power of a power rule is a powerful tool for simplifying exponent expressions. By understanding this rule, we can simplify complex expressions like (a^3)^2 to their simplest form. Remember, when you raise a power to another power, you multiply the exponents!