Question

How do you simplify `(10a^-8b^-2)/(4a^3b^5)`?

Answer 1

`= 5/2 color(red)(a^-11b^-7`

Explanation:

`(10a^-8b^-2)/(4a^3b^5`

Note:`color(red)(a^m / a^n = a^(m-n)`

Applying the above property to the exponents of `a` and `b`

`= (10/4) . a^color(red)((-8-3)) . b^color(red)((-2-5))`
`= 5/2 color(red)(a^-11b^-7`