Question

Choose the correct simplification of the expression a^12b^8/a^2 b^4.

Answer 1

$\bf ~~~~~~~~~~~~\textit{negative exponents} \\\\ a^{-n} \implies \cfrac{1}{a^n} \qquad \qquad \cfrac{1}{a^n}\implies a^{-n} \qquad \qquad a^n\implies \cfrac{1}{a^{-n}} \\\\ -------------------------------\\\\ \cfrac{a^{12}b^8}{a^2b^4}\implies a^{12}a^{-2}b^8b^{-4}\implies a^{12-2}b^{8-4}\implies a^{10}b^4$