College Algebra (6th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0-32178-228-3
ISBN 13: 978-0-32178-228-1

Chapter P - Prerequisites: Fundamental Concepts of Algebra - Exercise Set P.3 - Page 49: 89

Answer

$\frac{1}{16}$

Work Step by Step

$$32^{-\frac{4}{5}}$$ Remember, a negative exponent can be made positive by moving the expression from the numerator to the denominator (or vise-versa). $$=\frac{1}{32^{\frac{4}{5}}}$$ When converting from a rational exponent to a radical, the numerator is the exponent, and the denominator is the radicals index. It may be easier to have the entire radical raised to the exponent rather than the radicand. As example: $\sqrt[5]{32^4}$ would be very difficult to solve, therefore: $$=\frac{1}{(\sqrt[5]{32})^{4}}$$ $$=\frac{1}{(2)^{4}}$$ $$=\frac{1}{16}$$
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