# Simplifying Exponents

• Apr 12th 2009, 05:49 AM
Simplifying Exponents
If anyone could help me out with this problem it would be appreciated.

6^2 x^-4y^-1 divided by 6^3 x ^-3 y^7

I understand you move the negatives down or up, but do you need to square the numbers for it to be in simplest form?

I got 6^2 x ^3 divided by 6^3 x^4 y^8 but I dont know if this is correct.
• Apr 12th 2009, 06:57 AM
masters
Quote:

If anyone could help me out with this problem it would be appreciated.

6^2 x^-4y^-1 divided by 6^3 x ^-3 y^7

I understand you move the negatives down or up, but do you need to square the numbers for it to be in simplest form?

I got 6^2 x ^3 divided by 6^3 x^4 y^8 but I dont know if this is correct.

Hi Jeff,

So far, so good. You just needed to take it to the last step.
I hope you understand that when you say 'move' that you are using the correct property of exponents.

$\frac{x^a}{x^b}=x^{a-b}$

Therefore: $\frac{6^2 x^{-4}y^{-1}}{6^3 x^{-3} y^7}=6^{2-3}x^{-4-(-3)} y^{-1-7}=6^{-1}x^{-1}y^{-8}=\frac{1}{6xy^8}$
• Apr 12th 2009, 07:03 AM