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Simplify. Write the answer using positive exponents only. ((6x^(6)y^(2))/(18x^(3)y^(-7)))^(-4)

User Jkeeler
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To simplify this expression, you need to follow the rules for manipulation of exponents.

Let's first simplify the fraction inside the bracket:

The given expression is (6x^6 * y^2)/(18x^3 * y^-7)

Here, we can simplify this by separately treating the two parts:
1) x's with their exponents.
2) y's with their exponents.

1) Simplify the x terms:

The numerator part of the fraction has a term with x, which is x^6. The denominator contains x^3.

When you divide with the same base (x), you subtract the exponents.

So, x^6 divided by x^3 simplifies to x^(6-3) = x^3.

2) Simplify the y terms:

In the numerator we have y^2 and in the denominator we have y^-7.

y^2 divided by y^-7 simplifies to y^(2-(-7)) = y^9.

Remember, subtracting a negative sign is equivalent to addition.

Next, simplify coefficient:

The numerator of our original expression has a coefficient 6 and the denominator has a coefficient of 18.

Dividing 6 by 18 simplifies to 1/3.

After simplifying, we get the fraction as x^3*y^9/3.

Next, we have the entire fraction to the power of -4.

Power to a power multiplies. Hence, each of the exponents in our fraction will be multiplied by -4:

(x^3*y^9/3)^(-4)

This simplifies to:

(x^(-12) * y^(-36))/81

Because all exponents should be positive, we take the inverse of the base. A base with a negative exponent takes the reciprocal form.

This will be our final result:

81/(x^12 * y^36)

User Marilia
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