Entry Exam Category: High School Equivalency Exams
Course: General Education Development (GED)
Exam: GED Math practice test
Practice Question
((5^3 * 2^4)^2)(5^(-2) * 2^5)
Answer Choices
- A: 5^3 * 2^11
- B: 5^(-12) * 2^40
- C: 5^4 * 2^13
- D: (-5)^8 * 2^13
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: First, simplify inside the parentheses: (5^3 * 2^4)^2 = (5^3)^2 * (2^4)^2 = 5^6 * 2^8. Then, multiply by 5^(-2) * 2^5: (5^6 * 2^8) * (5^(-2) * 2^5) = 5^(6-2) * 2^(8+5) = 5^4 * 2^13. The negative in option D is incorrect as all bases are positive. Thus, the correct answer is 5^4 * 2^13.