Question

Which of the following is a step in simplifying the expression?

(xy³)⁻² / (x⁻⁴y⁴)

A. Distribute the exponent -2 to both x and y³ , resulting in x⁻² and y⁻⁶.
B. Multiply x⁻² and x⁻⁴ to get x⁻⁶, and y⁻⁶ and y⁴ to get y⁻².
C. Combine x⁻⁻⁶ and y⁻² to simplify the expression.
D. All of the above.

Answer 1

A step in simplifying the expression is All of the above

Therefore, correct option is D. All of the above.

Step-by-step explanation:

To simplify the given expression (xy³)⁻² / (x⁻⁴y⁴), we need to follow multiple steps.

(A) Distributing the exponent -2 to both x and y³ results in x⁻² and y⁻⁶.

(B) Multiplying x⁻² and x⁻⁴ gives x⁻⁶, and multiplying y⁻⁶ and y⁴ results in y⁻².

(C) Combining x⁻⁶ and y⁻² simplifies the expression.

Therefore, the correct answer is (D) All of the above. Each step contributes to simplifying different parts of the expression, leading to the final simplified form.

Understanding the rules of exponents and how to simplify expressions is fundamental in algebra, providing a basis for more advanced mathematical concepts.

Therefore, correct option is D. All of the above.