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Section 1.1 : Integer Exponents

3. Evaluate the following expression and write the answer as a single number without exponents.

\[\frac{{{4^0} \cdot {2^{ - 2}}}}{{{3^{ - 1}} \cdot {4^{ - 2}}}}\] Show Solution

There is not really a whole lot to this problem. All we need to do is the evaluations recalling the proper order of operations.

\[\frac{{{4^0} \cdot {2^{ - 2}}}}{{{3^{ - 1}} \cdot {4^{ - 2}}}} = \frac{{{4^0} \cdot {3^1} \cdot {4^2}}}{{{2^2}}} = \frac{{\left( 1 \right) \cdot \left( 3 \right) \cdot \left( {16} \right)}}{4} = \require{bbox} \bbox[2pt,border:1px solid black]{{12}}\]

It is almost always going to be best to first get rid of negative exponents prior to doing any of the rest of the evaluation work. Also, don’t forget to reduce any resultant fractions down as much as possible.