Which expression is equivalent to 12^-5 times 12^9? a. 1/12^-45
b. 12^-45
c. 1/12^4
d. 1/12^-4

D.  1/12^-4

Step-by-step explanation:

Since both exponents have the same base, we can add the exponents to get:

We can cross out A and B since they multiplied the two exponents, therefore both answers are wrong.

Now, let's try C and D.

C is wrong because it has a different base being raised to the same power.

D is correct. When you have a negative exponent, it is equivalent to the reciprocal of the base to the positive exponent.

The reciprocal of 1/12 is 12, and the positive of -4 is 4, therefore the answer is D.