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Of course must follow the order of operations (aka PEMDAS or GEMDAS). So we start with the power of a power in the denominator. The rule here is to multiply the exponents:
This is a simplified expression... unless you consider negative exponents "unsimplified". If this is so then we can eliminate the negative exponents quickly or slowly.
Quickly.
The fast way is to understand that negative exponents mean reciprocals. A negative exponent on a factor in the numerator becomes that factor with a positive exponent in the denominator and vice versa. Using this
becomes:
This is the simplified expression with positive exponents. (Note: Exponents only apply to whatever is immediately in front of it! So the exponent of -2 in the denominator applies only to the y, not to the 2! This is why the 2 stays in the denominator.)
Slowly.
The methodical way is to use the rule:
Using this rule on the two negative exponents in:
we get:
Simplifying...
Multiplying the numerator and denominator of the "big" fraction by the lowest common denominator of the "little" fractions, , will eliminate the "little" fractions:
giving us:
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