How do you simplify #(\frac{2}{a^{2}})^{2}#?

2 Answers
Mar 28, 2018

#4/a^4#

Explanation:

= #(2/a^2)^2#

= #2/a^2*2/a^2#

= #4/a^4#

Mar 28, 2018

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, use this rule of exponents to rewrite the numerator:

#c = c^color(red)(1)#

#(2/a^2)^2 = (2^color(red)(1)/a^2)^2#

Now, use this rule of exponents to complete the simplification:

#(x^color(red)(j))^color(blue)(k) = x^(color(red)(j) xx color(blue)(k))#

#(2^color(red)(1)/a^color(red)(2))^color(blue)(2) => 2^(color(red)(1)xxcolor(blue)(2))/a^(color(red)(2)xxcolor(blue)(2)) => 2^2/a^4 = 4/a^4#