Medal and fan!!!!!!!
Evaluate each expression for the given value of the variable.

-2a^-1 b^-3 for a=3 and b=3.

Question

Medal and fan!!!!!!!
Evaluate each expression for the given value of the variable.

-2a^-1 b^-3 for a=3 and b=3.

mathmale · Answer

Any chance you could try this problem yourself first, and then share the results, before offering medals and fan status?

Given the expression 2a, substitute a=3.  What do you get?
Hope that puts you onto the right track.

anonymous · Answer

sure mathmale i already have my answer just checking if its right. i got -2/54

mathmale · Answer

Given -2a^(-1), substitute a=3.  What do you get?

Given b^(-3), substitute b=3.  What do you get?

anonymous · Answer

since the exponents of the variables are negative can i do this 
-2/a*b^3

mathmale · Answer

Not if I read your math problem statement correctly.

As I read it, you are given two separate math expressions involving exponents.
You are to evaluate them separately:

Given -2a^(-1), substitute a=3.  What do you get?

Given b^(-3), substitute b=3.  What do you get?

anonymous · Answer

no its actually (-2a^-1)*(b^(-3))

anonymous · Answer

so just one expression

mathmale · Answer

OK.  Thanks.
Then the first factor is -2*3^(-1) = -2/3
and the second factor is 3^(-3) = 1/27

and you need to multiply those two fractions together to obtain the final desired result.