Question

How do you simplify `v ^ { - 6} \cdot v ^ { - 2}`?

Answer 1

See a solution process below:

Explanation:

First, use this rule of exponents to multiply the two `v` terms:

`x^color(red)(a) xx x^color(blue)(b) = x^(color(red)(a) + color(blue)(b))`

`v^color(red)(-6) * v^color(blue)(-2) => v^(color(red)(-6) + color(blue)(-2)) => v^-8`

Now, use this rule of exponents to eliminate the negative exponent:

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

`v^color(red)(-8) => 1/v^color(red)(- -8) => 1/v^8`