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.2 - Page 33: 22

Answer

$\frac{1}{27}$

Work Step by Step

When dividing exponential expressions with the same non-zero base, subtract the exponent of the denominator from the exponent of the numerator and give the resulting exponent to the same base: $$\frac{3^{4}}{3^{7}}$$ $$=3^{(4-7)}$$ $$=3^{(-3)}$$ When an exponential expression has a negative exponent, change the position of the base (from the numerator to the denominator, or vise-versa) and make the exponent positive. $$=\frac{1}{3^{3}}$$ $$=\frac{1}{27}$$
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