How can you simplify #(125a^15b^7)/(-8a^3b^4)#?

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Answer 1 · 2018-04-09T00:08:44

#-(125a^12b^3)/(8)#

#125/-8# cannot be simplified, it is in the simplest form a fraction can be in

Dividing exponents with the same base: #a^b/a^c=a^(b-c)#

Apply that in this expression:

#125/-8*a^(15-3)/1*b^(7-4)/1#

#125/-8*a^12/1*b^3/1#

#-(125a^12b^3)/(8)#

Answer 2 · 2018-04-09T00:59:01

To simplify this expression, the following exponential rule is needed:
#(a^b)/(a^c) = a^(b-c)#

#(125a^15b^7)/(-8a^3b^4)#
#=-(125a^(15-3)b^(7-4))/8#
#=-(125a^12b^3)/8#