5^a = 1/25, 5^b = 25sqrt(5), 5^c = 1/sqrt(5). What is the value of a + b + c?

Two ways to do it. Manually work them all out: 5a = 1/25 means a = -2, 5b=25sqrt(5) means b = 2.5, 5c = 1/sqrt(5) means c = -0.5. So a + b + c = -2 + 2.5 + 0.5 = 0.
Can alternatively remember that (xt)(xu) = xt+u (when multiplying you add powers). This means that 5a5b5c = 5a+b+c = (1/25)(25sqrt(5))(1/sqrt(5)) = 1. We know that 50 = 1, so a + b + c = 0.

CH
Answered by Connor H. Maths tutor

3128 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

The perimeter of a square is sqrt(120) cm, what is the area?


White paint costs £2.80 per litre. Blue paint costs £3.50 per litre. White paint and blue paint are mixed in the ratio 3 : 2 Work out the cost of 18 litres of the mixture.


Sophie had 3 piles of coins, A, B and C. Altogether there was £72. Pile B had twice as much as pile A. Pile C had three times as much as pile B. How much money was in Pile C?


Solve the simultaneous equations: 3x+2y=11, 2x-5y=1.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning