Lesson 14

Which one doesn’t belong?

Decide whether each equation is true or false, and explain how you know.

1. \(2^4=2 \boldcdot 4\)

2. \(3+3+3+3+3=3^5\)

3. \(5^3=5 \boldcdot 5 \boldcdot 5\)

4. \(2^3=3^2\)

5. \(16^1=8^2\)

6. \(\frac12 \boldcdot  \frac12 \boldcdot  \frac12 \boldcdot  \frac12 = 4 \boldcdot \frac12\)

7. \(\left( \frac12 \right)^4=\frac{1}{8}\)

8. \(8^2 = 4^3\)

In each list, find expressions that are equivalent to each other and explain to your partner why they are equivalent. Your partner listens to your explanation. If you disagree, explain your reasoning until you agree. Switch roles for each list. (There may be more than two equivalent expressions in each list.)

1. 1. \(5 \boldcdot 5\)
   2. \(2^5\)
   3. \(5^2\)
   4. \(2 \boldcdot 5\)
2. 1. \(4^3\)
   2. \(3^4\)
   3. \(4 \boldcdot 4 \boldcdot 4\)
   4. \(4+4+4\)
3. 1. \(6+6+6\)
   2. \(6^3\)
   3. \(3^6\)
   4. \(3 \boldcdot 6\)
4. 1. \(11^5\)
   2. \(11 \boldcdot 11 \boldcdot 11 \boldcdot 11 \boldcdot 11\)
   3. \(11 \boldcdot 5\)
   4. \(5^{11}\)
5. 1. \(\frac15 \boldcdot \frac15 \boldcdot \frac15\)
   2. \(\left( \frac15 \right)^3\)
   3. \(\frac{1}{15}\)
   4. \(\frac{1}{125}\)
6. 1. \(\left( \frac53 \right)^2\)
   2. \(\left( \frac35 \right)^2\)
   3. \(\frac{10}{6}\)
   4. \(\frac{25}{9}\)

When working with exponents, the bases don’t have to always be whole numbers. They can also be other kinds of numbers, like fractions, decimals, and even variables. For example, we can use exponents in each of the following ways: 

\(\displaystyle \left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^4 = \frac{2}{3} \boldcdot \frac{2}{3} \boldcdot \frac{2}{3} \boldcdot \frac{2}{3}\)

\(\displaystyle (1.7)^3 = (1.7) \boldcdot (1.7) \boldcdot (1.7)\)

\(\displaystyle x^5 = x \boldcdot x \boldcdot x \boldcdot x \boldcdot x\)