Complete the Expression: (x×y)^4a Power Rule Problem

Power Rules with Composite Exponents

Insert the corresponding expression:

(x×y)4a= \left(x\times y\right)^{4a}=

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1

Understand the problem

Insert the corresponding expression:

(x×y)4a= \left(x\times y\right)^{4a}=

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the given expression as (x×y)4a(x \times y)^{4a}.
  • Step 2: Apply the power of a power rule (am)n=am×n(a^m)^n = a^{m \times n}.
  • Step 3: Transform the expression using these mathematical rules.

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: The problem provides us with the expression (x×y)4a(x \times y)^{4a}. This expression involves a product raised to a power 4a4a.

Step 2: We aim to express this using the idea of a power raised to another power. According to this rule, we can interpret (x×y)4a(x \times y)^{4a} as ((x×y)4)a((x \times y)^4)^a. The rule applied here is (a×b)n=an×bn(a \times b)^n = a^n \times b^n in reverse, leading to (am)n=am×n(a^m)^n = a^{m \times n} understanding for breaking down.

Step 3: Thus, (x×y)4a(x \times y)^{4a} becomes ((x×y)4)a((x \times y)^4)^a.

After analyzing the answer choices:

  • Choice 1, (x×y)4×(x×y)a \left(x \times y\right)^4 \times \left(x \times y\right)^a , does not use the power of a power rule, it is a product.
  • Choice 2, ((x×y)4)a \left((x \times y)^4\right)^a , correctly represents the power of a power rule.
  • Choice 3, (x×y)4(x×y)a \frac{\left(x \times y\right)^4}{\left(x \times y\right)^a} , represents division of powers, not the intended structure.
  • Choice 4 cannot be correct as it lists combinations that do not follow from the given rules.

Therefore, the correct solution to the problem is ((x×y)4)a\left((x \times y)^4\right)^a, which is answer choice 2.

3

Final Answer

((x×y)4)a \left(\left(x\times y\right)^4\right)^a

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Power Rule: Use (a^m)^n = a^(m×n) to rewrite composite exponents
  • Technique: Transform (x×y)^4a into ((x×y)^4)^a using power decomposition
  • Check: Verify ((x×y)^4)^a = (x×y)^(4×a) = (x×y)^4a ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Using product rule instead of power rule
    Don't split (x×y)^4a into (x×y)^4 × (x×y)^a = wrong structure! This creates multiplication when you need nested powers. Always recognize composite exponents like 4a require the power-of-a-power rule: ((x×y)^4)^a.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

\( 112^0=\text{?} \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't I just multiply the exponents directly?

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You are multiplying them! The expression (x×y)4a(x×y)^{4a} means the exponent is 4×a. Using the power rule (am)n=am×n(a^m)^n = a^{m×n}, we write this as ((x×y)4)a((x×y)^4)^a to show the structure clearly.

How is this different from adding exponents?

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Adding exponents happens when you multiply similar bases: x4×xa=x4+ax^4 × x^a = x^{4+a}. But here we have a single base raised to a composite exponent, so we use the power-of-a-power rule instead.

What if the exponent was 4+a instead of 4a?

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Then it would stay as (x×y)4+a(x×y)^{4+a}! You cannot factor addition in exponents the same way. Only when you have multiplication in the exponent (like 4a) can you use the power rule.

Why does choice 1 look so similar but wrong?

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Choice 1 shows (x×y)4×(x×y)a(x×y)^4 × (x×y)^a, which equals (x×y)4+a(x×y)^{4+a} by the product rule. That's completely different from (x×y)4a(x×y)^{4a}! Be careful about multiplication vs addition in exponents.

Can I check my answer by expanding everything?

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Yes! Both (x×y)4a(x×y)^{4a} and ((x×y)4)a((x×y)^4)^a would expand to the same result when you apply all the power rules. The second form just shows the structure more clearly.

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