Question

Use the negative exponent rule to simplify 5 x 5^7/5^20.

Answer 1

we have the expression

$\frac{5\cdot5^7}{5^{(20)}}$

step 1

Simplify the numerator

$\frac{5\cdot5^7}{5^{(20)}}=\frac{5^{7+1}}{5^{(20)}}=\frac{5^8}{5^{(20)}}$

step 2

Simplify the denominator

$\frac{5^8}{5^{(20)}}=5^{(8-20)}=5^{-12}$

the answer is 5^-12