Question 9348
by definition, {{{a^(-m) = 1/a^m}}}


so {{{4x^(-3)}}} is {{{4/x^3}}}
and {{{(4x)^(-3)}}} is {{{1/(4x)^3}}}


so, for yours... {{{(-3y^-1)^-1}}}, we get


{{{(-3/y)^(-1)}}}


and then this becomes -y/3. The negative sign can remain on top...it doesn't matter as the 3 is -ve and the y is +ve, swapping them in the fraction, we still have a + and -... making a -ve.


remember, you can always take a numerical example to test... {{{(4/3)^(-1)}}} should be 3/4, which it is on the calculator.


Does that help?


jon.