How do you simplify #(8x^4y^-3)(1/2x^-5y^2)# and write it using only positive exponents?

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How do you simplify #(8x^4y^-3)(1/2x^-5y^2)# and write it using only positive exponents?

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Answer 1 · 2017-02-26T13:24:57

See the entire simplification process below:

Explanation:

First, rewrite this expression as:

#(8 xx 1/2)(x^4x^-5)(y^-3y^2)#

#4(x^4x^-5)(y^-3y^2)#

Next, use this rule of exponents to combine the #x# and #y# terms: #x^color(red)(a) xx x^color(blue)(b) = x^(color(red)(a) + color(blue)(b))#

#4(x^color(red)(4) xx x^color(blue)(-5))(y^color(red)(-3) xx y^color(blue)(2)) = 4x^(color(red)(4) + color(blue)(-5))y^(color(red)(-3) + color(blue)(2)) = 4x^-1y^-1#

Now, use these rules for exponents to complete the simplification: #x^color(red)(a) = 1/x^color(red)(-a)# and #a^color(red)(1) = a#

#4x^color(red)(-1)y^color(red)(-1) = 4/(x^color(red)(- -1)y^color(red)(- -1)) = 4/(x^color(red)(1)y^color(red)(1)) = 4/(xy)#

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How do you simplify #(8x^4y^-3)(1/2x^-5y^2)# and write it using only positive exponents?

1 Answer

Explanation:

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