SOLUTION: Simplify and express using positive exponents. NUMERATOR IS: 12a^7 + 16a^5 - 8a^2 DENOMERATOR IS: -4a^2 I do not know ALT keystrokes to express the fraction exactly as shown

Question 228007: Simplify and express using positive exponents.
NUMERATOR IS: 12a^7 + 16a^5 - 8a^2
DENOMERATOR IS: -4a^2
I do not know ALT keystrokes to express the fraction exactly as shown. I know the answer is:
(-3a^5 - 4a^3 + 2)but I have no idea why or how. Why is the answer not a fraction? fyi {12a^7= 12a to the seventh power} ect... Is there an affordable calculator I can buy that will compute the problem?
Answer by JenniferTutors(83) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Ok, this is how the problem looks:

Now, in looking at the numerator, find the lowest common factor to simplify. What number can go into 12, 16, and -8? There are numbers that can go in, like 2, but since 4 also can go in, we would use that one because it is larger. Those numbers also have the letter "a" attached to each. You would take 2 a's because every number has at least 2 a's. So, now you have 4a, you would divide that into the equation So, to simplify it would look like this:

Now, you would cross out the "4a" and you're left with your answer. (The negative sign would transfer to the top.
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