Simplifying the Expression: (2a^2b^3)^3 / 4a^3b^7
This article will guide you through the process of simplifying the expression (2a^2b^3)^3 / 4a^3b^7.
Understanding the Rules
Before we begin, let's recall some fundamental rules of exponents:
- (x^m)^n = x^(m*n): When raising a power to another power, we multiply the exponents.
- x^m / x^n = x^(m-n): When dividing powers with the same base, we subtract the exponents.
Step-by-Step Simplification
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Simplify the numerator:
- Apply the rule (x^m)^n = x^(m*n) to the numerator:
- (2a^2b^3)^3 = 2^3 * (a^2)^3 * (b^3)^3 = 8a^6b^9
- Apply the rule (x^m)^n = x^(m*n) to the numerator:
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Rewrite the expression:
- The expression now becomes: 8a^6b^9 / 4a^3b^7
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Simplify by dividing coefficients and subtracting exponents:
- 8/4 = 2
- a^6 / a^3 = a^(6-3) = a^3
- b^9 / b^7 = b^(9-7) = b^2
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Final Result:
- The simplified expression is 2a^3b^2.
Conclusion
By applying the rules of exponents, we successfully simplified the expression (2a^2b^3)^3 / 4a^3b^7 to 2a^3b^2. This process highlights the importance of understanding these rules and applying them systematically to solve complex expressions.