Question

simplify b^2/3a^-4

Answer 1

do you understand how negative exponents work?

Answer 2

no

Answer 3

okay then, so, for example:
1/x^-2 = x^2
1/15x^(-4) = x^(4) / 15
x^-2 = 1/x^2

Answer 4

okay

Answer 5

so now do you understand how to do this problem?

Answer 6

no im still completely lost

Answer 7

try studying the properties of exponents

Answer 8

hmm, do you understand that x^2 * x^3 = x^(2+3) = x^5
x^2 / x^3 = x^(2-3) = x^-1

Answer 9

yes

Answer 10

so 1/a^(-4) = a^(0-(-4))

Answer 11

okay

Answer 12

so what is 0-(-4)?

Answer 13

-4

Answer 14

hmm, do you understand that multiplying two negatives equals a positive...
if it were a number line, to minus something from 0 would to be going to the left, right? but to minus a negative number would make it go in the other direction so it is going to the right

Answer 15

so it would be 4

Answer 16

yes :)

Answer 17

so 1/a^(-4) = a^(0-(-4)) = a^4
right?

Answer 18

yes

Answer 19

so
\[\frac{ b ^{2} }{ 3a ^{-4} } \rightarrow \frac{ b ^{2} }{ 3 }\times \frac{ 1 }{ a ^{-4} } \] then do you see how you can go about doing this?

Answer 20

the answer would be, right?

Answer 21

not really
\[\frac{ b ^{2} }{ 3 }\times \frac{ 1 }{ a ^{-4} } \rightarrow \frac{ b ^{2} }{ 3 }\times a ^{4} \rightarrow \frac{ b ^{2}\times a ^{4} }{ 3 }\]

Answer 22

okay i understand u now

Answer 23

glad I could help :)

Answer 24

thank you (: