Simplify 5^-3 × 5^-4: Negative Exponent Multiplication

Question

Reduce the following equation:

53×54= 5^{-3}\times5^{-4}=

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Simplify the following problem
00:03 According to the power laws, the multiplication of powers with equal bases (A)
00:07 equals the same base raised to the sum of the powers (N+M)
00:11 We will apply this formula to our exercise
00:15 Note that we are adding a negative factor
00:21 A positive x A negative is always negative, therefore we subtract as follows
00:26 This is the solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the problem of simplifying the expression 53×54 5^{-3} \times 5^{-4} , we will apply the exponent multiplication rule, which states that when multiplying powers with the same base, we simply add their exponents.

  • Step 1: Identify the expression and confirm both terms share the base of 5. They are 53 5^{-3} and 54 5^{-4} .
  • Step 2: Apply the exponent multiplication rule: 53×54=5(3)+(4) 5^{-3} \times 5^{-4} = 5^{(-3) + (-4)} .
  • Step 3: Simplify the expression by adding the exponents: 3+(4)=7 -3 + (-4) = -7 .

Therefore, the expression simplifies to 57 5^{-7} .

Given the possible choices, the correct answer is 57 5^{-7} , which corresponds to choice (1).

Thus, the solution to the problem is 57 5^{-7} .

Answer

57 5^{-7}