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Simplifying z5z3z^{-5} \cdot z^{-3} and z4z5z^{-4} \cdot z^{-5} Using the Product Property

Apply the Product Property for Exponents to simplify expressions where both factors share the same variable base and have negative exponents.

z5z3z^{-5} \cdot z^{-3}: Because both factors share the base zz, keep the base unchanged and add the exponents: 5+(3)=8-5 + (-3) = -8. The expression becomes z8z^{-8}. Next, apply the definition of a negative exponent (an=1ana^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}) to rewrite the expression with a positive exponent: z8=1z8z^{-8} = \frac{1}{z^8}.

z4z5z^{-4} \cdot z^{-5}: Similarly, both factors share the base zz. Add the exponents: 4+(5)=9-4 + (-5) = -9. The expression becomes z9z^{-9}. Apply the negative exponent definition to yield 1z9\frac{1}{z^9}.

In both cases, the Product Property (aman=am+na^m \cdot a^n = a^{m+n}) applies exactly as it does with positive exponents; simply ensure the subsequent integer addition is performed correctly before using the negative exponent rule to finalize the simplification.

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Updated 2026-04-29

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