exponential functions

**Gomaz23** · June 7th 2010, 12:54 PM

I need help with this question:

2x^3 y^-2
8x^-2 y^-3

What its asking me to do is to simplify the question. Can anyone help me??

**Amer** · June 7th 2010, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by Gomaz23

I need help with this question:

2x^3 y^-2
8x^-2 y^-3

What its asking me to do is to simplify the question. Can anyone help me??

$\frac{2x^3y^{-2}}{8x^{-2}y^{-3}}$

$\left(\frac{2x^3}{8x^{-2}}\right)\left(\frac{y^{-2}}{y^{-3}}\right)$

you should know

$y^{-n} = \frac{1}{y^n}$

moving the number from the denominator to nominator change the exponent sign, so

$\left(\frac{2x^3}{8x^{-2}}\right) = \frac{2x^3 . x^2}{8}= \frac{2x^{3+2}}{8}= \frac{2x^5}{8}$

$\left(\frac{y^{-2}}{y^{-3}}\right) = y^{-2}. y^{3}= y^{-2+3} = y$

$\frac{2x^3y^{-2}}{8x^{-2}y^{-3}} = \frac{2x^5y}{8}=\frac{x^5y}{4}$

Thread: exponential functions

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