Find the prime factorization of each:
a.) 16 b.) 72

a) 2^4

b) (2^3)*(3^2)

Step-by-step explanation:

a.) 16 =(2^2)*(2^2)= 2^4

b.) 72 =  (2^3)*(3^2)

since your problem is x^4 = 81, what you have to undeo is the "to the fourth power" part.

the inverse (opposite operation) of "to the fourth power" is "to the fourth root".

  (x^4) ^ ¼   = 81 ^ ¼  

  81 = 3^4     so (3 ^ 4) ^ ¼   =   3 ^ 1   = 3

by hand: (3 ^ 4) ^ ¼   =   3 ^ (4 x ¼) = 3 ^ 1   = 3   (when you take a power to a power, multiply the exponents.)

or, do it by calculator. one way of finding the fourth root is to use ^ (1/4)

step-by-step explanation: