Question

what is the product in simplest form? and state any restrictions.

4a^5/7b^4 * 2b^2/2a^4

Answer 1

can you help @hartnn

Answer 2

@amistre64

Answer 3

@JamesJ

Answer 4

First,
\[ 4a^5/7b^4 \times 2 b^2/(2a^4)= 4a^5b^{-4} \times \frac{1}{2} b^2 a^{-4} \]
Now collect like terms.

Answer 5

i don't see any like terms though... the ^-4's

Answer 6

\[ 4a^5b^{-4} \times \frac{1}{2} b^2 a^{-4} = \left( 4 \times \frac{1}{2} \right) (a^5a^{-4}) (b^{-4}b^2) = ....\]

Answer 7

and I've dropped a 7 along the way

Answer 8

\[ \frac{4}{7}a^5b^{-4} \times \frac{1}{2} b^2 a^{-4} = \left( \frac{4}{7} \times \frac{1}{2} \right) (a^5a^{-4}) (b^{-4}b^2) = .... \]

Answer 9

ok so now what...? i know u would get 4/14 but what about the rest??

Answer 10

simplify, for example,
\[ a^5 a^{-4} = a^{5-4} = a^1 = a \]

Answer 11

oh wow yeah i see that.... haha so for the b it woudl be b^2?

Answer 12

-4 + 2 = -2