how do I simplify the following:
(a^-5b)^-4/ab^3

Question

amistre64 · Answer

thats hard to decipher into a problem... can you re write it better or explain it more?

amistre64 · Answer

is this it?

$$\frac{(a^{-5b})^{-4}}{ab^3}$$

anonymous · Answer

the slash after the 4 is actually indicative of the fraction.  wasn't sure how to write that

anonymous · Answer

yes that is it

amistre64 · Answer

exponents of exponents multiply together...

a^(20b)
-------
  ab^3

amistre64 · Answer

division of like bases subtrats exponents:

a^b
---  = a^(b-c)
a^c

amistre64 · Answer

a^(20b-1)
---------  seems to be the best I can get from it...
    b^3

amistre64 · Answer

what constitutes a simplification ?

anonymous · Answer

I got a^20 over ab^-12 but not sure if I did it right

amistre64 · Answer

is there a choice of answers to base this off of?

anonymous · Answer

no

anonymous · Answer

its hard to write equation on here lol

amistre64 · Answer

we could try log rules.... maybe :)

20b log(a) - log(a) + 3log(b)...not sure how that would help tho :)

amistre64 · Answer

the equation editor on the bottom left helps alittle

anonymous · Answer

its my first time using this site

amistre64 · Answer

takes a little to get used to but its handy at times

amistre64 · Answer

it slows down the computer tho... lol

anonymous · Answer

I noticed.  I tried to use the equation template but it got confusing

amistre64 · Answer

you can make a fraction by typing 'frac{top}{bottom}' into it directly

amistre64 · Answer

exponents are ^{number}

anonymous · Answer

$$(a^-5b)^-4 \ab^3$$

anonymous · Answer

oops that didn't come out right

amistre64 · Answer

sooo close.....

amistre64 · Answer

type it in like like this:

frac{a^{-5b}^{-4}}{ab^3}

anonymous · Answer

I have to go...phone

anonymous · Answer

thanks for your help :)