ALEKS Basic Math Placement Practice Test 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Mastering Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces!

Remove ads, get exclusive features. Starting from $5.99

Question: 1 / 400

When simplifying the expression p^-5 * p^3, what is the correct outcome?

p^-2

To simplify the expression $ p^{-5} \times p^{3} $, you can use the property of exponents that states when multiplying terms with the same base, you add their exponents. This is expressed mathematically as follows:

p^a \times p^b = p^{a + b}

In this case, the exponents are -5 and 3. Therefore, you add these exponents together:

-5 + 3 = -2

This results in:

p^{-2}

The expression $ p^{-2} $ signifies that the exponent is negative, which implies that the term can also be rewritten as $ \frac{1}{p^2} $ if needed. However, since the question only asks for the simplified form, $ p^{-2} $ is already in its simplest exponent format.

This makes $ p^{-2} $ the correct outcome for the simplification of the initial expression $ p^{-5} \times p^{3} $.

Get further explanation with Examzify DeepDiveBeta

p^2

p^{-15}

p^15

Next Question

Report this question

Download ALEKS Basic Math Placement Practice Test 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Mastering Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces! PDF Study Guide

ALEKS Basic Math Placement Practice Test 2025 – Your All-in-One Guide to Mastering Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces!

Get the latest from Examzify