Solving Exponents Homework: Troubleshooting -a^2b^-1

[Jenninifer]

Homework Statement

4a^4b^3      -a^3 
---------- x -------
a^5b^6        -(b^2)

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

(4a^4b^3)(1a^3)
= 4-a^7b^-3
---------------
a^5-b^4

= $-a^2b^-1

WHERE DID I GO WRONG!

 

[berkeman]

Homework Statement

4a^4b^3      -a^3 
---------- x -------
a^5b^6        -(b^2)

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

(4a^4b^3)(1a^3)
= 4-a^7b^-3
---------------
a^5-b^4

= $-a^2b^-1

WHERE DID I GO WRONG!

I tried wrapping your equation in "code" tags to help the spacing, but even that didn't really help the readability. Can you try using the code tags and some spacing to help readability? Thanks.

 

[Jenninifer]

Sorrry I don't know how!

 

[berkeman]

Let me try in Latex:

\frac{4a^4 b^3}{a^5 b^6} x \frac{-a^3}{-(b^2)}

Did I get that right? You can use the QUOTE button to see how the Latex is formed, and emulate it in your calculations that you're going to do here...

(There's alwo a Latex tutorial stickie post in the Learning Materials forum)

 

[Jenninifer]

Yes that's it! I still don't get it though.

 

[berkeman]

Yes that's it! I still don't get it though.

Get what? How to post in Latex, or how to distribute the exponents and simplify the expression?

 

[Jenninifer]

I don't get either. But i just need how to simplify it.

 

[berkeman]

Well, start small. Start with the original stuff:

\frac{4a^4 b^3}{a^5 b^6} x \frac{-a^3}{-(b^2)}

And just look at the "a" component first:

\frac{-a^3 * 4a^4}{a^5}

when you multiply terms with the same base, you add the exponents, right? And when you divide terms with the same base, you subtract the exponent of the term in the denominator. What do you get by doing that to the above?

 

[Jenninifer]

-4a^2?

 

[Jenninifer]

How about:
3^-3 + 3^-4
_____________
3^-5

 

[berkeman]

-4a^2?

Correct for my question.

 

[berkeman]

How about:
3^-3 + 3^-4
_____________
3^-5

Say what?