anonymous 5 years ago how do I simplify the following: (a^-5b)^-4/ab^3

1. amistre64

thats hard to decipher into a problem... can you re write it better or explain it more?

2. amistre64

is this it? $\frac{(a^{-5b})^{-4}}{ab^3}$

3. anonymous

the slash after the 4 is actually indicative of the fraction. wasn't sure how to write that

4. anonymous

yes that is it

5. amistre64

exponents of exponents multiply together... a^(20b) ------- ab^3

6. amistre64

division of like bases subtrats exponents: a^b --- = a^(b-c) a^c

7. amistre64

a^(20b-1) --------- seems to be the best I can get from it... b^3

8. amistre64

what constitutes a simplification ?

9. anonymous

I got a^20 over ab^-12 but not sure if I did it right

10. amistre64

is there a choice of answers to base this off of?

11. anonymous

no

12. anonymous

its hard to write equation on here lol

13. amistre64

we could try log rules.... maybe :) 20b log(a) - log(a) + 3log(b)...not sure how that would help tho :)

14. amistre64

the equation editor on the bottom left helps alittle

15. anonymous

its my first time using this site

16. amistre64

takes a little to get used to but its handy at times

17. amistre64

it slows down the computer tho... lol

18. anonymous

I noticed. I tried to use the equation template but it got confusing

19. amistre64

you can make a fraction by typing 'frac{top}{bottom}' into it directly

20. amistre64

exponents are ^{number}

21. anonymous

$(a^-5b)^-4 \ab^3$

22. anonymous

oops that didn't come out right

23. amistre64

sooo close.....

24. amistre64

type it in like like this: frac{a^{-5b}^{-4}}{ab^3}

25. anonymous

I have to go...phone

26. anonymous