How do you simplify the expression #y^4/y^-7# using the properties?

2 Answers
Jul 18, 2017

#y^4/y^(-7)=y^11#

Explanation:

Given -

#y^4/y^(-7)#

#a^b = 1/a^(-b)#

Hence #1/y^(-7)=y^7#

Then

#y=y^4xxy^7=y^(4+7)=y^11#
#y^11#

Jul 18, 2017

#y^11#

Explanation:

Recall the law of indices for division.

#x^m/x^n = x^(m-n)" "larr# subtract the indices

#y^4/y^-7 = y^(4-(-7)#

#=y^(4+7)#

#=y^11#

However, my first method of choice would be to change the negative index to a positive one by using the method shown by contributor nallasivan V