Hi! I was wondering what the best way to plug in would be for “example 1” in the “exponents and exponential functions” chapter?

Well, it wouldn’t really be practical without a calculator but because you’re allowed one on this question, you just pick numbers for x and y and then use those to get values for m and n. Say x = 2 and y = 3. Then:

2^{3/5}=1.5157...=m\\3^{-3/5}=0.5172...=n^{-1}

Raise that n^{-1} to the –1 power again to get n and you’re set: n=1.9331...

Now just plug those values into the answer choices to see which one gives you xy = (2)(3) = 6.

Leave a Reply