Question

Tyler simplified the expression x³y9. His procedure is shown below.

Answer 1

Answer:

  (b) both powers should be in the denominator with positive exponents

Step-by-step explanation:

The applicable rule of exponents is ...

  a^-b = 1/a^b

__

The correct simplification is ...

  $x^{-3}y^{-9}=\dfrac{1}{x^3}\cdot\dfrac{1}{y^9}=\boxed{\dfrac{1}{x^3y^9}}$

Both variables should have positive exponents in the denominator.