Answer:
a = 6
b = 2
Explanation:
Here, we want to take all values of p up and all values of q down
From the division, 9
goes up and the term above comes down
We have all the following indices rule to use;
(a^x)^y = a^xy
a^x * a^y = a^x + y
a^x / a^y = a^x-y
Let us evaluate all p terms;
p^12/p^4 = p^8
Let us evaluate all q terms
q^16/q^10 * 1/q^2
= q^6/q^2 = q^4
Let us evaluate all number terms
We have;
2^4/-3^2 * 9/4^2
= 16/9 * 9/16 = 1
All
number terms canceled out
Now, let us work with the exponents;
For the p terms;
p^8 = p^a+b
a + b = 8 •••••••••(i)
For the q terms;
q^4 = q^a-b
a-b = 4 ••••••••••(ii)
Add both equations
2a = 12
a = 12/2 = 6
For b;
a-b = 4
6-b = 4
b = 6-4
b = 2