Question

How do you multiply `2x ^ { - 1} y ^ { - 1} \cdot 4x ^ { 3} y ^ { - 1}`?

Answer 1

`8x^2y^-2`

Explanation:

Step 1) First, group like terms:

`2x^-1y^-1*4x^3y^-1 => (2*4)*(x^-1*x^3)(y^-1*y^-1)`

Step 2) Multiply each term using multiplication and the rules for multiplying exponents:

`8*x^(-1+3)y^(-1-1) => 8x^2y^-2`