How do you simplify #12^-4/2^-4#?

1 Answer
Nov 27, 2016

#1/(2^4*3^4)#

Explanation:

Write 12 as the product of its prime factors, in that way there will be a power of 2 which can be simplified.

Recall a law of indices dealing with negative indices.

#x^-m = 1/x^m" and "1/x^-m = x^m#

#12^-4/2^-4 = 2^4/12^4#

=#2^4/(2^2xx3)^4#

=#2^4/(2^8 *3^4)#

=#1/(2^4*3^4)" "larr# subtract the indices of like bases