How do you simplify #\frac { 3y ^ { - 2} } { ( 2y ) ^ { 3} }#?

1 Answer
Jan 2, 2017

First, expand the term in the denominator and then factor the numerator and denominator using the rules for exponents.

Explanation:

Step 1) Expand the term in the denominator using the following rule for exponents:

#color(red)((x^a)^b = x^(a*b))# and

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

#(3y^-2)/(2^3y^(1*3))#

#(3y^-2)/(8y^3)#

We can now simplify the #y# terms using this rule for exponents:

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

#3/(8y^(3- -2)#

#3/(8y^5)#