simplify. use positive exponents for any variables.

Question

simplify. use positive exponents for any variables.

p^-4/q^-6

Answer 1

To change the sign of an exponent, you have to flip it from numerator to denominator, or from denominator to numerator depending on where it started. Basically, you want it to be in the opposite one from where it started. To have a numerator/denominator, you need a fraction. We have a fraction so we can flip the positions of the variables with the negative exponents so that the exponent will flip signs, thereby becoming a positive exponent. I'll do this one at a time, beginning with the p-4.

1. p ^-4                 1

   -----    --->   -------

   q ^-6               p⁴q^-6

2. Now the q⁶

  q⁶
------
  p⁴



Every exponent is positive now so this will be our final answer.

q⁶
-----

p⁴