Question

Help!
Which expression is equivalent?
On edge

Answer 1

Answer: Choice B

$x^{1/8}y^{8}$

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Explanation:

The two rules we use are

$(a*b)^c = a^c*b^c$

$(a^b)^c = a^{b*c}$

When applying the first rule to the expression your teacher gave you, we can say that:

$\left(x^{1/4}y^{16}\right)^{1/2} = \left(x^{1/4}\right)^{1/2}*\left(y^{16}\right)^{1/2}$

Then applying the second rule lets us say

$\left(x^{1/4}\right)^{1/2}*\left(y^{16}\right)^{1/2} = x^{1/4*1/2}*y^{16*1/2} = x^{1/8}y^{8}$

Therefore,

$\left(x^{1/4}y^{16}\right)^{1/2} = x^{1/8}y^{8}$

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In short, we just multiplied each exponent inside by the outer exponent 1/2.

So that explains why the exponents go from {1/4,16} to {1/8,8} for x and y in that exact order.