Simplify the expression (10^5)/(2^2) , which represents a bond that loses half its value every 5 years, to find its value after 10 years.

Rewrite 10 as 2 × 5: (10^5)/(2^2) = (2^5 × 5^5)/(2^2). Subtract exponents for the powers of 2, giving 2^(5−2) × 5^5 = 2^3 × 5^5. This matches “2 cubed times 5 to the 5th power.”

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