Simplify the Expression: 81 Divided by 3²

Question

8132= \frac{81}{3^2}=

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Solve the following problem
00:03 We will use the formula for dividing powers with the same base
00:07 We obtain the base with an exponent that is the difference between the exponents
00:11 We will apply this formula to our exercise
00:16 We will convert from a number to its power of 3
00:21 We will subtract between the power of the numerator and denominator
00:27 This is the solution

Step-by-Step Solution

First, we recognize that 81 is a power of the number 3, which means that:

34=81 3^4=81 We replace in the problem:

8132=3432 \frac{81}{3^2}=\frac{3^4}{3^2} Keep in mind that the numerator and denominator of the fraction have terms with the same base, therefore we use the property of powers to divide between terms with the same base:

bmbn=bmn \frac{b^m}{b^n}=b^{m-n} We apply it in the problem:

3432=342=32 \frac{3^4}{3^2}=3^{4-2}=3^2 Therefore, the correct answer is option b.

Answer

32 3^2