Question
What is the value of
when
?
Ask by Chen Johnston. in South Africa
Dec 21,2024
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
Solution
The value of
for any non-zero number
is defined to be 1. This is based on the properties of exponents.
To understand why, consider the following:
- The exponent rule states that
. - If we let
and , we have: - Since
, we can rewrite the left side: - Therefore, we conclude that:
Thus, the value of
when
is
.
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The Deep Dive
Did you know that the value of
is always 1 for any
? This rule is derived from the properties of exponents. When you divide powers with the same base, you subtract the exponents:
. Since
is 1 (as long as
isn’t zero), it follows that
!
Also, this principle is not just an abstract concept; it actually finds its way into various fields! For example, in computer science, when dealing with algorithms or indexing,
often represents an empty collection or a base case. So next time you see
, give a little cheer for the number 1 and its versatile role in mathematics and beyond!