Question

How do you simplify this expression?

Answer 1

Solve the terms in parentheses first. We'll start on the denominator.

The denominator has an exponent for a fraction that also includes exponents. To multiply exponents within parentheses that are raised to a power, use this rule:

$(x^a)^b = x^{a \cdot b}$

Simplify the denominator:

$(\frac{3^4}{7^3} )^2 = \frac{3^8}{7^6}$

Solve the fractions in the numerator:

$(\frac{3}{5})^5 = \frac{3^5}{5^5}$

$(\frac{9}{7})^2} = \frac{9^2}{7^2}$

The problem should now read:

$\frac{\frac{3^5}{5^5} \cdot \frac{9^2}{7^2}}{\frac{3^8}{7^6}}$

There is a denominator in a denominator. We can bring that to the numerator of the overall fraction:

$\frac{\frac{3^5}{5^5} \cdot \frac{9^2}{7^2}}{\frac{3^8}{7^6}} = \frac{\frac{3^5}{5^5} \cdot \frac{9^2}{7^2} \cdot {7^6}}{3^8}}$

Using a calculator, simplify the numerator:

$\frac{3^5}{5^5} \cdot \frac{9^2}{7^2} \cdot {7^6} = \frac{19683}{7}$

The fraction should now read:

$\frac{\frac{19683}{7}}{3^8}$

There is a denominator in the numerator. This can be brought down to the overall denominator:

$\frac{\frac{19683}{7}}{3^8} = \frac{19683}{3^8 \cdot 7}$

Factor 19683:

$19683 = 3 \cdot3 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 \cdot 3 = 3^9$

$\frac{19683}{3^8 \cdot 7} = \frac{3^9}{3^8 \cdot 7}$

Simplify the exponents:

$\frac{3^9}{3^8} = 3$

The following fraction will be your answer:

$\boxed{\frac{3}{7}}$

Answer 2

Note that: (3/7)^5 = (3^5)/(7^5)

Also note that: (3^4/7^3)^2 = (3^8/7^6)

Divide

((3^5)/(7^5))/(3^8/7^6) = (3^5)/7^5) x (7^6)/(3^8) = 7/3^3 = 7/27

(9/7)^2 = 9/7 x 9/7 = 81/49

Multiply

81/49 * 7/27 = 567/1323  = 3/7

3/7 is your simplified answer

hope this helps