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Pre-Algebra Videos 217 videos

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Description:

ACT Math: Pre-Algebra Drill 4, Problem 3. Simplify the expression.

Language:
English Language

Transcript

00:03

Let's all hold hands and shmoop together...

00:06

Simplify a to the 2x power times a to the negative 2x power.

00:11

And here are the potential answers...

00:17

This question tests really one thing:

00:18

Do we realize that we can just add or subtract exponents when the bases are the same in a problem?

00:25

So here we have a to the 2x times a to the NEGATIVE 2x.

00:31

And we are adding the exponents... so in America... 2x minus 2x is ...what?

00:38

Yep. Zilch. Zip. Nada.

00:41

So what's a to the ... zero power?

00:43

Well, by definition -- any number to the zero power is ...1.

00:46

So a to the zero is 1, and the answer is B.

00:49

As in, "Base running."

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