3^2/3^4
I did this through my calulate and I came up with 1/9, but that is not the correct answer. I'm not sure what to do?
To solve this problem, you need to apply the rules of exponents.
The rule states that when you divide two numbers with the same base, you subtract the exponents. In this case, the base is 3.
Let's break it down step-by-step:
1. Start with the expression 3^2/3^4.
2. Apply the rule of exponents by subtracting the exponents: 2 - 4.
3. Subtract 4 from 2: 2 - 4 = -2.
4. Now, rewrite the expression using the result of the exponent subtraction: 3^-2.
To simplify this further, remember that any number raised to a negative exponent is equal to 1 divided by the number raised to the positive exponent.
So, 3^-2 is equal to 1/3^2.
Now, we can calculate 1/3^2:
1. Calculate 3^2, which is 9.
2. Take the reciprocal of 9: 1/9.
Therefore, the answer to the expression 3^2/3^4 is indeed 1/9. If you obtained a different result, please double-check your calculations.