Question

Difficulty: EasyOperations with Variable Exponents

Consider the exponential expression (y7)3(y^7)^3. If this expression is rewritten in the equivalent form yny^n, what is the numerical value of nn?

Answer: 21 / twenty-one / n=21 / n = 21

Answer

The numerical value of the exponent is 21.
When raising a power to another power, the laws of exponents dictate that the two exponents must be multiplied. Multiplying the inside exponent 7 by the outside exponent 3 yields 21.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the appropriate exponent rule to simplify the expression (y7)3(y^7)^3.
The expression requires the Power of a Power property.
An exponential term with a base and an exponent is being raised entirely to another power.
2
Apply the Power of a Power rule, which states that (xa)b=xa×b(x^a)^b = x^{a \times b}.
Multiply the inner exponent by the outer exponent: 7×37 \times 3.
To raise a power to another power, you must multiply the exponents together.
3
Calculate the final numerical value.
7×3=217 \times 3 = 21, meaning the expression simplifies to y21y^{21}.
By matching y21y^{21} to the given form yny^n, we determine that n=21n = 21.

Key Concept

Power of a Power Rule for Exponents
Estimated Time:30s
Rate this question