For this case we have the following expression: (-4a ^ -2 b ^ 4) / (8a ^ -6b ^ -3) We can rewrite the expression using properties of exponents. We have then: (-4/8) * ((a ^ (- 2 - (- 6))) (b ^ (4 - (- 3)))) Rewriting we have: (-2/4) * ((a ^ (- 2 + 6)) (b ^ (4 + 3))) (-1/2) * ((a ^ 4) (b ^ 7)) -1 / 2a ^ 4b ^ 7 Answer: The exponent of the variable b in Marina's solution should be 7