I have to simplify

Question

(-x^5y^4)^4(3x^2y)^2(1/3xy)

I did
(x^20y^16)(9x^4y^2)(1/3xy)
(9x^24y^18)(1/3xy)
3x^25y^19

Is this correct?
Thank you for your help!

Answer 1

First of all, it's not a polynomial,as there is only one term.

It's ok to here:

(9x^24y^18)(1/3xy)
Now, is that 1/(3xy) or (1/3)xy ?

It appears that you meant (1/3) xy, but it's hard to say, since you some how got

(...)(1/3) = 3(...)

How did you manage to switch from dividing to multiplying by 3?

So, if you meant (1/3) xy, the answer is 1/3 3x^25y^19

If it was 1/(3xy), then you have
1/3 x^23y^17

In either case, you can't switch 1/3 to 3.

Now, if you meant
(...)/(1/3xy)

then you get a 3 in front, since you are dividing by 1/3.

Answer 2

Thank you for explaining my mistake.