Q. Express the following fraction in simplest form, only using positive exponents.(−4x−5)23x−9Answer:
Write Expression: Write down the given expression and identify the negative exponents.The given expression is (3x−9)/((−4x−5)2).We need to simplify this expression and express it with only positive exponents.
Apply Negative Exponent Rule: Apply the negative exponent rule, which states that a−n=an1, to rewrite the expression with positive exponents.For the numerator, we have 3x−9 which becomes x93.For the denominator, we have (−4x−5)2. First, we'll deal with the exponent of −5, which gives us (−x54)2.
Simplify Denominator: Simplify the denominator by squaring both the coefficient and the variable part.(−4/(x5))2 becomes (−4)2/(x5)2, which simplifies to 16/(x10).
Combine Fractions: Combine the simplified numerator and denominator to form a single fraction.We now have (x93)/(x1016).
Divide Fractions: Divide the fractions by multiplying the numerator by the reciprocal of the denominator.This becomes (x93)×(16x10).
Simplify Expression: Simplify the expression by canceling out common factors and applying the laws of exponents.The x9 in the numerator and x10 in the denominator can be simplified to x(10−9) in the numerator, which is x1 or simply x.The expression now is (3×x)/16.
Final Expression: Write the final simplified expression with only positive exponents.The final simplified expression is (163x).
More problems from Multiplication with rational exponents