Posted by Soroban on September 30, 2002 at 23:26:00:
In Reply to: simplifying question posted by Lisa on September 30, 2002 at 21:44:52:
: What is the difference between simplifying and solving.
Lisa, I think you mean the difference between "simplifying"
and "not simplifying". Your two examples are simply constants;
there's no "solving" involved.
: I have one question which is left as 1/(8^5)
: and another one which goes from 1/(2^2) to 1/4. So how do you know what to do.
Just guessing, but...
I believe that with 1/2^2, they rightfully assumed that you know what "2x2" is.
In the first, they were being kind - and did not force you to multiply 8x8x8x8x8.