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Express the following fraction in simplest form, only using positive exponents.

(20a^(7))/(-4(a^(-2))^(2))
Answer:

Express the following fraction in simplest form, only using positive exponents.\newline20a74(a2)2 \frac{20 a^{7}}{-4\left(a^{-2}\right)^{2}} \newlineAnswer:

Full solution

Q. Express the following fraction in simplest form, only using positive exponents.\newline20a74(a2)2 \frac{20 a^{7}}{-4\left(a^{-2}\right)^{2}} \newlineAnswer:
  1. Simplify Denominator: Simplify the denominator.\newlineThe denominator is 4(a2)2-4(a^{-2})^2. We need to apply the power of a power rule, which states that (am)n=amn(a^m)^n = a^{m*n}. So, (a2)2=a22=a4(a^{-2})^2 = a^{-2*2} = a^{-4}.\newlineCalculation: 4(a2)2=4×a4-4(a^{-2})^2 = -4 \times a^{-4}
  2. Rewrite Negative Exponent: Rewrite the negative exponent as a positive exponent.\newlineTo convert a negative exponent to a positive exponent, we use the rule an=1ana^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}. So, a4a^{-4} becomes 1a4\frac{1}{a^4}.\newlineCalculation: 4×a4=4×(1a4)-4 \times a^{-4} = -4 \times \left(\frac{1}{a^4}\right)
  3. Divide Numerator by Denominator: Simplify the fraction by dividing the numerator by the denominator.\newlineNow we divide 20a720a^7 by 4×(1/a4)-4 \times (1/a^4). This is the same as multiplying 20a720a^7 by the reciprocal of the denominator.\newlineCalculation: (20a7)/(4×(1/a4))=20a7×(1/4)×a4(20a^7) / (-4 \times (1/a^4)) = 20a^7 \times (-1/4) \times a^4
  4. Multiply Coefficients and Variables: Multiply the coefficients and the variables separately.\newlineWe multiply the coefficients 2020 and 14-\frac{1}{4}, and then we use the property of exponents aman=am+na^m \cdot a^n = a^{m+n} to multiply a7a^7 and a4a^4.\newlineCalculation: 20(14)=520 \cdot (-\frac{1}{4}) = -5 and a7a4=a7+4=a11a^7 \cdot a^4 = a^{7+4} = a^{11}
  5. Combine Results: Combine the results to get the final answer.\newlineWe combine the coefficient 5-5 with the variable part a11a^{11}.\newlineCalculation: 5×a11-5 \times a^{11}

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