Question

Simplify the expression. (p9)−2

Answer 1

wouldn't it just be 9p-2

Answer 2

The given expression is

$(p^{9} )^-2$

Here the Indices are 9 and -2 .The power rule for indices state:

$(a^{m} )^n=a^{mn}$

The Powers are multiplied.

Applying the Power rule we have:

$(p^{9})^{-2} =p^{-18}$We now apply the negative index rule which states:

$a^{-n} =\frac{1}{a^{n}}$

Applying the rule we have:

$p^{-18} =\frac{1}{p^{18}}$