How do you simplify #\frac{- 5a^{6}}{- 2a^{7} b^{8}}#?

1 Answer
Sep 28, 2016

# = +5/(2ab^8)#

Explanation:

With this type of fraction simplification..
#rarr# work with the signs, Count the number of negatives.
#rarr# simplify the numbers
#rarr# simplify the variables and indices

#\frac{- 5a^{6}}{- 2a^{7} b^{8}}#

# = +5/(2ab^8)" "larr# subtract the indices of like bases.

The only simplification needed was to divide two negative sign and to simplify the indices of #a#.

All the other factors were in simplest form.