- #1
Llamas
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Homework Statement
The problem is in the title: Prove (a^c)^d) = a^(cd)
Homework Equations
N is the set of natural numbers.
(ab)^n = (a^n)(b^n)
a^(p+n) = (a^p)*(a^n)
((a^p)(a^n)) * a = (a^p)(a^(n+1))
The Attempt at a Solution
c = p-q; d = j-k; p,q,j,kεN (by definition of integers)
(a^(p-q))^(j-k)
((a^(p-q))^j)/((a^(p-q))^k)
((a^(p+(-q)))^j)/((a^(p+ (-q)))^k)
((a^p)(a^(-q)))^j/((a^p)(a^(-q)))^k or (((a^p)/(a^q))^j)/(((a^p)/(a^q))^k)
I have no idea where to go from here. I've spent two hours on this and I've finished nearly all my other proofs on this assignment...This one is killing me though, and I have other work I need to get to at some point. Could anyone please give me a tip in the right direction? I feel like I have it all wrong.