Now plug into the first equation to find a:
The answer is (E).
EXPONENTS—KEY OPERATIONS
You can’t be adept at algebra unless you’re completely at ease with exponents. Here’s what you
need to know:
Multiplying powers with the same base: To multiply powers with the same base, keep the base
and add the exponents:
x^3 × x^4 = x3+4 = x^7Dividing powers with the same base: To divide powers with the same base, keep the base and
subtract the exponents:
y^13 ÷ y^8 = y13−8 = y^5Raising a power to an exponent: To raise a power to an exponent, keep the base and multiply the
exponents:
(x^3 )^4 = x^3 ×^4 = x^12