Solve (g×a×x)⁴ + (4^a)^x: Complex Exponential Expression Challenge

Let's handle each term in the initial expression separately:

a. We'll start with the leftmost term, meaning the exponent on the multiplication in parentheses,

We'll use the power rule for exponents on multiplication in parentheses:

$(z\cdot t)^n=z^n\cdot t^n$

which states that when an exponent applies to a multiplication in parentheses, it applies to each term in the multiplication when opening the parentheses,

Let's apply this to our problem for the leftmost term:

$(g\cdot a\cdot x)^4=g^4\cdot a^4\cdot x^4=g^4a^4x^4$

where in the final step we dropped the multiplication sign and switched to the conventional multiplication notation by placing the terms next to each other.

We're done with the leftmost term, let's move on to the next term.

b. Let's continue with the second term from the left, using the power rule for exponents:

$(b^m)^n=b^{m\cdot n}$

Let's apply this rule to the second term from the left:

$(4^a)^x=4^{ax}$

and we're done with this term as well,

Let's summarize the results from a and b for the two terms in the initial expression:

$(g\cdot a\cdot x)^4+(4^a)^x=g^4a^4x^4+4^{ax}$

Therefore, the correct answer is c.

Notes:

a. For clarity and better explanation, in the solution above we handled each term separately. However, to develop proficiency and mastery in applying exponent rules, it is recommended to solve the problem as one unit from start to finish, where the separate treatment mentioned above can be done in the margin (or on a separate draft) if unsure about handling a specific term.

b. From the stated power rule for parentheses mentioned in solution a, it might seem that it only applies to two terms in parentheses, but in fact, it is valid for any number of terms in a multiplication within parentheses, as demonstrated in this problem and others,

It would be a good exercise to prove that if this rule is valid for exponents on multiplication of two terms in parentheses (as stated above), then it is also valid for exponents on multiplication of multiple terms in parentheses (for example - three terms, etc.).