Chapter 1.1, Problem 56E

Study the pattern in these examples:

$a^5*a^3*a^2=a^5{a}^3*a^7*a^2=a^6{a}^2*a^4*a^8=a^7.$

Select the equation that describes the pattern.

a. $a^x*a^y*a^z=a^{x+y+z}$

b. $a^x*a^y*a^z=a^{\frac{xyz}{2}}$

c. $a^x*a^y*a^z=a^{\frac{x+y+z}{2}}$

d. $a^x*a^y*a^z=a^{\frac{xy}{2}+z}$