Question

How do you simplify `(4a^2b)^4(-a^3/(2b))^2` and write it using only positive exponents?

Answer 1

`color(blue)(-64a^14b^2)`

Explanation:

remove exponents from brackets:

`( 4a^2b)^4 => (256a^8b^4)`

`( - a^3/(2b))^2 => (- a^6/(4b^2))`

Multiply brackets:
`(256a^8b^4) * (- a^6/(4b^2)) => (-256a^14b^4)/(4b^2)`

Cancelling like factors:

`color(blue)(-64a^14b^2)`