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college algebra help

lowkey this kind of stuff is like 8th grade algebra but its a prerequisite course that i have to take to move onto business calc next semester </3

anyways i need some help on exponents ( i know the general rules already)

so my online math homework had a problem:

2^8 + 2^9
the answer was 3+ 2^8 but i have no idea how they got that

I also need help on exponents such as: n^2 + n^6 <- how would i simplify that?

All help is appreciated!

pls don't laugh

October 2, 2014

6 Comments • Newest first

simaini

2^8 + 2^9
2^8 (2^0+2^1)
2^8 (1+2)= 2^8 * 3 you made a typo and said 2^8+3

n^2 + n^6
just factor out the lowest exponent, which is 2 in this case
n^2 (n^(2-2)+n^(6-2))
n^2(n^0+n^4)= n^2 * (1+n^4)

Reply October 2, 2014
DistantSky

Here, it makes more sense if you look at it with x

X^8 + X^9 = (1+X)(X^8)

Reply October 2, 2014 - edited
BornNew

@Valued: You factor out the 2^8, then you are left with (1 + 2^1); 2^1 is 2 so I didn't need to write/type the "^1". I don't think there is a rule other than factoring out the lowest exponent to simplify the answer

Reply October 2, 2014 - edited
DoctorSilent

2^9 divided by 2^8 gives you 2.
2^8 divided by 2^8 gives you 1.

Reply October 2, 2014 - edited
Valued

[quote=BornNew]2^8 + 2^9
=2^8 * (1+2)
=2^8 * (3)

n^2 + n^6
=n^2 (1+n^4)[/quote]

can you explain how you got to 2^8 * (1+2) i know you factored it but how did you get the 2? and is there a general rule when you add exponents with the same bases? Thanks!

Reply October 2, 2014 - edited
BornNew

2^8 + 2^9
=2^8 * (1+2)
=2^8 * (3)

n^2 + n^6
=n^2 (1+n^4)

Reply October 2, 2014 - edited