Simplifying (3x⁴y²)⁴
This expression involves several concepts in algebra, namely:
- Exponents: A number indicating how many times a base number is multiplied by itself.
- Power of a product: This rule states that (ab)ⁿ = aⁿbⁿ
- Power of a power: This rule states that (aⁿ)ᵐ = aⁿᵐ
Let's break down the simplification process step-by-step:
Applying the Power of a Product Rule
First, we apply the power of a product rule to distribute the outer exponent (4) to each factor within the parentheses:
(3x⁴y²)⁴ = 3⁴ (x⁴)⁴ (y²)⁴
Applying the Power of a Power Rule
Next, we use the power of a power rule to simplify each factor:
3⁴ (x⁴)⁴ (y²)⁴ = 81 x¹⁶ y⁸
Final Simplified Expression
Therefore, the fully simplified form of (3x⁴y²)⁴ is 81x¹⁶y⁸.