All ACT Math Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Exponents
Solve: 5x2 – 3y1 where x = 4, y = 5.
95
60
17
65
65
Substitute the values for x and y within the equation: 5(4)2 - 3(5)1. Proceed according to proper order of operations: 5(16) – 3(5). Therefore: 80-15= 65.
Example Question #1 : Exponents
If 64t+1 = (√2)10t + 4, what is the value of t?
1/2
4
–4
1/3
–1/3
–4
In order to set the exponents equal to each other and solve for t, there must be the same number raised to those exponents.
64 = (√2)n?
(√2)2 = 2 and 26 = 64, so ((√2)2)6= (√2)2*6 = (√2)12.
Thus, we now have (√2)12(t+1) = (√2)10t + 4.
12(t+1) = 10t + 4
12t + 12 = 10t + 4
2t + 12 = 4
2t = –8
t = –4
Example Question #3 : Exponential Operations
Evaluate
(x3)2
x23
x4
x9
x5
x6
x6
You can simplify it into (x3)(x3) = x6
Example Question #2 : Exponents
Simplify:
To tackle this problem we must understand the concept of exponents in fractions and how to cancel and move them.
To move any variable or number from the numerator to the denominator or vice versa, you must negate the exponent. i.e. in the numerator would become in the denominator. These two expression are equivalent. You should strive to make all exponents positive initially before applying the next rule to simplify.
Cancelling variables with a similar base is an easy way to simplify. Add or subtract the exponents depending on their relationship in a fraction.
Ex. or 1.
Ex. . --> this can be more easily understood if you break down the . which then can be moved around to form, . After the cancels to form 1, we have or just . This can be applied for all numerical or abstract values of exponents for a given variable, such as , or .
Knowing these rules, we can tackle the problem.
To begin we will pick a variable to start with, thereby breaking down the problem into three smaller chunks. First we will start with the variable . . Because the numerator has a negative exponent, we will move it down to the denominator: . This simplifies to as multiplying any common variables with exponents is found by addition of the exponents atop the original variable. The variable part of this problem is .
We move to the section of the problem: . This is similar to our above, instead with larger numerical exponents. . The section cancels, leaving us with or .
Now to the section. We simply have on top. Applying the first rule above, we just move it to the denominator with the switching of the sign. Our result is .
Combining all the sections together we have .
More beautifully written it looks like .
Example Question #3 : Exponents
Simplify ((x²)-2)-3
x12
x-3
x-12
x4
x12
We are given an expression with a power to a power to a power. Using rules of exponents, we take the exponents and multiply each of them together.
Example Question #3 : Exponential Operations
Find the value of x where:
Example Question #4 : Exponents
Which of the following is equivalent to:
The first step is to distribute the squared on the second term. (2a3)2 becomes 4a6 by multiplying the exponents (power raised to a power exponent rule) and squaring the 2. Then, combining like terms (i.e. combining coefficients, a's and b's) we obtain 12a8b5.
Example Question #5 : Exponents
Simplify the following expression:
(3y2)2 + (4y)3
73y7
81y4 + 64y3
73y12
9y4 + 64y3
None of the above
9y4 + 64y3
This requires us to remember the rules for multiplying and adding exponent variables.
(3y2)2 can be re-written as (3)2 x (y2)2 which yields 9y4
(4y)3 can be re-written as (4)3 x (y)3 which yields 64y3
adding the two yields
9y4 +64y3
Example Question #1 : Exponential Operations
Simplify the following expression:
The answer is (x10)/2. When an exponent is raised to another power, you multiply the exponents.
Example Question #2 : Exponential Operations
Which of the following expressions is equivalent to ?
is simplified by multiplying the exponent outside of the expression , with each number and variable inside the expression:
This gives you
When variables with exponents are multiplied, you add their respective exponents together, so
Altogether, the expression is simplified to