SOLUTION: Can you help me with this? It's driving me crazy! Simplify: 21n-6/7n-4 The "-6" and "-4" are negative exponents. Thank you for your help!

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: Can you help me with this? It's driving me crazy! Simplify: 21n-6/7n-4 The "-6" and "-4" are negative exponents. Thank you for your help!      Log On


   

Question 21662: Can you help me with this? It's driving me crazy!
Simplify: 21n-6/7n-4
The "-6" and "-4" are negative exponents.
Thank you for your help!
Answer by longjonsilver(2297) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
%2821n%5E-6%29%2F%287n%5E-4%29

very simple.
1. Look at the coefficients: 21/7 is 3.

2. Look at the n terms. We have a division. Powers, on division, subtract, so we have (-6) - (-4). This simplifies to -6+4 --> -2

so we get 3n%5E-2, which can be left like this or re-written as 3%2Fn%5E2.

jon.