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

2945 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Olly drove 56 km from A to B. He then drives 61 km from B to C. Olly’s average speed from A to B was 70 km/h. Olly took 75 minutes to drive from B to C. Work out Olly’s average speed for his total drive from A to C.


How do you multiply out brackets


In a school 2/5 students play an instrument. Of those students 3/7 play the violin. Find the ratio of students who play the violin compared to the students who do not play the violin.


Find the coordinates where the curve f(X)= X^2+X-6 touches the x axis using factorisation.


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning