Q. Express the following fraction in simplest form, only using positive exponents.(2w2)−44j−9w8Answer:
Simplify Denominator: We start by simplifying the denominator. The denominator is (2w2)−4, which means we need to apply the negative exponent rule, which states that a−n=an1. We will apply this rule to both 2 and w2.
Apply Negative Exponent Rule: Applying the negative exponent rule to the denominator, we get:(2w2)−4=2−4×(w2)−4Now we will simplify each part separately.
Simplify 2−4: Simplifying 2−4, we get:2−4=241=161
Simplify (w2)−4: Simplifying (w2)−4, we get:(w2)−4=(w2)41=w81
Combine Denominator: Now we combine the simplified parts of the denominator: 2−4×(w2)−4=161×w81=16w81
Divide by Reciprocal: Next, we will simplify the entire fraction by dividing the numerator by the simplified denominator: (4j−9w8)/(1/(16w8))
Simplify Multiplication: When dividing by a fraction, it is equivalent to multiplying by its reciprocal. So we multiply the numerator by the reciprocal of the denominator: 4j−9w8×(16w8)
Apply Exponent Rule: Now we simplify the multiplication: 4×16×j−9×w8×w8
Combine Constants and Variables: Multiplying the constants 4 and 16, we get: 64⋅j−9⋅w8⋅w8
Convert Negative Exponent: Next, we apply the exponent rule for multiplication, which states that am×an=am+n when multiplying like bases. We will apply this to w8×w8:w8×w8=w8+8=w16
Final Simplification: Now we combine the constants and the variables with their exponents: 64⋅j−9⋅w16
Final Simplification: Now we combine the constants and the variables with their exponents: 64×j−9×w16 We want to express the fraction using only positive exponents. To do this, we apply the rule a−n=an1 to j−9: 64×(j91)×w16
Final Simplification: Now we combine the constants and the variables with their exponents: 64⋅j−9⋅w16 We want to express the fraction using only positive exponents. To do this, we apply the rule a−n=an1 to j−9: 64⋅(j91)⋅w16 Finally, we write the expression in simplest form: j964w16
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