SOLUTION: I need assistance with this problem please. (2x^-4y3/xy^2)^-2 Simplify, leaving only positive exponents. Should I flip the problem around to make the negative 4 positive, then m

Algebra ->  Exponents -> SOLUTION: I need assistance with this problem please. (2x^-4y3/xy^2)^-2 Simplify, leaving only positive exponents. Should I flip the problem around to make the negative 4 positive, then m      Log On


   

Question 24633: I need assistance with this problem please.
(2x^-4y3/xy^2)^-2
Simplify, leaving only positive exponents.
Should I flip the problem around to make the negative 4 positive, then multiply by the -2?? I can not get an answer with all positive exponents.
Thanks for the help!
Answer by longjonsilver(2297) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
i assume you mean this: %28%282x%5E%28-4%29y%5E3%29%2F%28xy%5E2%29%29%5E%28-2%29
First thing is to start combining terms, to get rid of the brackets, so you can see what you have. Do not concern yourself with "should it be positive"...just leave everything as it is and work with that...

So, first I will do the division...which means the powers subtract!
%28%282x%5E%28-4%29y%5E3%29%2F%28xy%5E2%29%29%5E%28-2%29
%28%282x%5E%28-5%29y%5E3%29%2F%28y%5E2%29%29%5E%28-2%29
%282x%5E%28-5%29y%29%5E%28-2%29

Now we have 1 polynomial raised to the power -2.
At this point I would do the following re-arrangement of the polynomial (it isn't necessary though...you can keep the x term with the others, but you are more likely to make mistakes):

%28%282y%29%2F%28x%5E5%29%29%5E%28-2%29

Now i shall convert this to a +2 power. this is done by inverting the whole polynomial..that is the meaning of a -ve power.

So, we have %28%28x%5E5%29%2F%282y%29%29%5E2
which is then %28x%5E10%29%2F%284y%5E2%29

jon