i need help with math

Question

Simplify this expression. If the answer contains exponents, all exponents should be positive.

 

(10x^8s)^1

Answer 1

First, let's ignore the exponent 1 which applies to everything inside the parentheses because exponent 1 is unnecessary.

 

Now let's see what's left:  10x^8s

 

There's a question whether the letter s is intended; if it is, then is 10 times x to the (8s) intended? ....Option A.  IF WE INTERPRETED THE EXPONENT FOR x AS 8s, that's ten multiplied by (x to the "8s")

 

Or is this intended:  (10x^8)s? ....Option B..This interpretation is possible (on a calculator, where PEMDAS would use only 8 as the exponent (on x) and then a subsequent multiplication by s would occur.

 

A further possibility is that the "s" is a typo (shouldn't occur, the result of an accidental dragging of a finger on the keyboard.

 

ALL of this uncertainty would be removed if the first exponent expression were parenthesized!!

 

O