Simplifying Expressions with Negative Exponents
This article will guide you through simplifying the expression (2u^4/4uv^-5)^-3.
Understanding the Rules
To simplify this expression, we need to utilize the following rules of exponents:
- Product of powers: x^m * x^n = x^(m+n)
- Quotient of powers: x^m / x^n = x^(m-n)
- Power of a power: (x^m)^n = x^(m*n)
- Negative exponent: x^-n = 1/x^n
Step-by-Step Simplification
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Distribute the negative exponent: (2u^4/4uv^-5)^-3 = 1 / (2u^4/4uv^-5)^3
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Apply the power of a power rule: 1 / (2u^4/4uv^-5)^3 = 1 / (2^3 u^(43) / 4^3 u^3 v^(-53))
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Simplify the exponents: 1 / (2^3 u^(43) / 4^3 u^3 v^(-53)) = 1 / (8u^12 / 64u^3 v^-15)
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Simplify the coefficients: 1 / (8u^12 / 64u^3 v^-15) = 1 / (u^12 / 8u^3 v^-15)
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Apply the quotient of powers rule: 1 / (u^12 / 8u^3 v^-15) = 8u^3 v^-15 / u^12
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Apply the quotient of powers rule again: 8u^3 v^-15 / u^12 = 8u^(3-12) v^-15 = 8u^-9 v^-15
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Apply the negative exponent rule: 8u^-9 v^-15 = 8 / (u^9 v^15)
Final Result
Therefore, the simplified form of the expression (2u^4/4uv^-5)^-3 is 8 / (u^9 v^15).