Simplifying Expressions with Exponents: (4s^5t^-7/-2s^-2t^4)^3
This article will walk through the steps of simplifying the expression (4s^5t^-7/-2s^-2t^4)^3.
Understanding the Rules of Exponents
Before we begin, let's review a few key 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)
- Power of a product: (x*y)^n = x^n * y^n
- Power of a quotient: (x/y)^n = x^n / y^n
Simplifying the Expression
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Apply the power of a quotient rule:
(4s^5t^-7/-2s^-2t^4)^3 = (4^3 * (s^5)^3 * (t^-7)^3) / (-2^3 * (s^-2)^3 * (t^4)^3)
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Apply the power of a power rule:
(4^3 * s^(53) * t^(-73)) / (-2^3 * s^(-23) * t^(43))
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Simplify the exponents:
(64 * s^15 * t^-21) / (-8 * s^-6 * t^12)
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Apply the quotient of powers rule:
64/-8 * s^(15-(-6)) * t^(-21-12)
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Simplify further:
-8 * s^21 * t^-33
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Express negative exponents in the denominator:
-8s^21 / t^33
Final Answer
Therefore, the simplified form of (4s^5t^-7/-2s^-2t^4)^3 is -8s^21 / t^33.