2026 · Q1
If p + q + r = 0, then what is z^(p^2/qr) x z^(q^2/rp) x z^(r^2/pq) equal to?
Elementary MathematicsAlgebra
- A1
- Bz
- Cz^2
- Dz^3
Explanation
By the laws of exponents, z^{p²/qr} · z^{q²/rp} · z^{r²/pq} = z^{p²/qr + q²/rp + r²/pq}, and the exponent over the common denominator pqr is (p³+q³+r³)/pqr. The identity p+q+r=0 implies p³+q³+r³=3pqr, so the exponent collapses to 3pqr/pqr=3. Hence the product equals z³, option D. A common error is trying to evaluate each factor separately instead of adding the exponents first.