Simplifying the Expression: (14a^4b^3 - 20a^2b^2 + 2ab) * (2ab)^-1
This problem involves simplifying an expression with exponents and variables. Let's break it down step-by-step:
Understanding the problem:
- (14a^4b^3 - 20a^2b^2 + 2ab): This is a polynomial with three terms.
- (2ab)^-1: This is a monomial raised to a negative exponent.
Simplifying the expression:
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Simplify the monomial with a negative exponent:
- Recall that a term raised to a negative exponent is the same as its reciprocal with a positive exponent.
- Therefore, (2ab)^-1 = 1 / (2ab)
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Apply the distributive property:
- Multiply each term in the polynomial by 1/(2ab):
- (14a^4b^3 / 2ab) - (20a^2b^2 / 2ab) + (2ab / 2ab)
- Multiply each term in the polynomial by 1/(2ab):
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Simplify each term:
- (14a^4b^3 / 2ab) = 7a^3b^2
- (20a^2b^2 / 2ab) = 10ab
- (2ab / 2ab) = 1
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Combine the simplified terms:
- 7a^3b^2 - 10ab + 1
Therefore, the simplified form of the expression (14a^4b^3 - 20a^2b^2 + 2ab) * (2ab)^-1 is 7a^3b^2 - 10ab + 1.