fractions within brackets

Question

In Algebra 1 I am given the following problem:

 

Simplify: (2x⁵y^-2 / x⁹)^-3 (wx^-1 / y⁴)²

Please help me.

Answer 1

Make all exponents positive by performing the reciprocal where needed.

 

(2x⁵ / x⁹y²)^-3 (w / xy⁴)² =

 

(x⁹y² / 2x⁵)³ (w / xy⁴)²

 

 

Now we apply the rules of exponents.

 

(x¹²y⁶ / 2)(w² / x²y⁸) =

 

(x¹⁰w²) / (2y⁴)