Check my work please...

$$\frac{ -10a ^{-4}b ^{-1} }{ 5a ^{-2}b ^{8} }$$

Question

Check my work please...

$$\frac{ -10a ^{-4}b ^{-1} }{ 5a ^{-2}b ^{8} }$$

anonymous · Answer

-10 / 5 = -2

$$a ^{\left( -4 - (-2) \right)} = a ^{-2}$$

$$b ^{\left( -1 - 8 \right)} = b ^{-9}$$

anonymous · Answer

Now how do I get the exponents to be positive in the final answer... here is the original question:

Simplify the expression:

$$\frac{ 10a ^{-4}b ^{-1} }{ 5a ^{-2}b ^{8} }$$

Write your answer without negative exponents.

anonymous · Answer

@anyone

phi · Answer

$$ -2 a^{-2}b^{-9} $$
to change the sign of the exponent, "flip" the base... if up top, put it in the bottom or vice versa

phi · Answer

so you get -2 over the other stuff

anonymous · Answer

So $$\frac{ -2 }{ a ^{2}b ^{9}}$$

anonymous · Answer

???

phi · Answer

yes, that is right.

anonymous · Answer

Awsome, thanks for your help!