These students were asked to simplify: 2⋅3^−4/5^−2
Adam wrote: 2•5²/3⁴
Nick wrote: 5²/2•3⁴
Shane wrote: 2⋅3⁴/5²
Responses
Shane is correct because all that needs to be done is to make the negative exponents positive.
None of these are correct because the students did not add the exponents in the numerator and then subtract exponents since there is division.
Nick is correct because the negative exponent in the numerator moves the whole numerator into the denominator and makes the exponent positive.
Adam is correct because the negative exponent moves the base to the other side of the fraction bar and makes the exponent positive