Question

How do you simplify `(3/y)^4`?

Answer 1

You can simplify it to `(3^4/y^4)` or `(81/y^4)`

Explanation:

So one of the properties of exponents is that they distribute.
For example, if you have `(x)^3`, it distributes to be `x^3`.

In a better example, `(2/3)^2` is equal to `(2^2/3^2)`. This is equal to `((2 * 2)/(3 * 3))` and `(4/9)`.

So, taking your problem into my hands, we have `(3/y)^4` which can be simplified to `(3^4/y^4)` and that to `((3*3*3*3)/y)` and that to `(81/y^4)`.

If an exponent is outside of a fraction, it distributes to both the numerator and denominator.

Have a good day!