How do you simplify this equation?

Question

(a^-2b)^-3(ab^-7)

 

Answer 1

(a^-2b)^-3(ab^-7) = a⁶b^-3ab^-7

 

                    = a⁷b^-10  =  a⁷/b¹⁰

 

Answer 2

Aaliyah, don't overthink! You should know that (a²)³ = a⁶, and (a²)(a³) = a⁵.

 

(a^-2b)^-3(ab^-7) = (a⁶b^-3)(ab^-7) = a⁷b^-10