How do you simplify #(2x^-2y^5 )/ (5y^5)#?

1 Answer
May 29, 2018

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, rewrite the expression as:

#2/5 * x^-2 * y^5/y^5 =>#

#2/5 * x^-2 * 1 =>#

#2/5 * x^-2#

Next, use this rule for exponents to eliminate the negative exponent:

#x^color(red)(a) = 1/x^color(red)(-a)#

#2/5 * x^color(red)(-2) =>#

#2/5 * 1/x^color(red)(- -2) =>#

#2/5 * x^color(red)(-2) =>#

#2/5 * 1/x^color(red)(2) =>#

#2/(5x^2)#