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

2 Answers
Apr 9, 2018

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

Explanation:

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)

Apr 9, 2018

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