Consider the questions below.

1. What can you multiply $8$ by to get $1$?

   Hint (a):

   $\frac{8}{1}\cdot\frac{?}{?}=\frac{1}{1}$

2. What can you multiply $x$ by to get $1$?

   Hint (b):

   See part (a).

3. Using the rules of exponents, find a way to solve $m^{8} = 40$. Remember that logarithms will not be useful here, but the exponent key on your calculator will be. (Obtain the answer as a decimal approximation using your calculator. Check your result by raising it to the 8^th power.)

   Hint (c):

   Many calculators require the parentheses for this step.
   

4. Now solve $n^{6} = 300$.

   Hint (d):

   Use the method you found in part (c).

5. Describe a method for solving $x^{a} = b$ for x with a calculator.

   Hint (e):

   Generalize the method you found in part (c).