Question

I can't understand this.

Simplify using only positive exponents:
(a2b[]7c4)/(a5b3c[]2)


Please help ;_;

Answer 1

what is with the [] characters?

In general, a^m / a^n
= a^(m-n) if m > n
= 1/a^(n-m) is n > m

So, if you had
(a^2 b^7 c^4)/(a^5 b^3 c^2) = (b^4 c^2)/a^3

Answer 2

The [] is to represent an empty or blank box in the problem. I'm guessing it's making me fill in the blank but there are no choices so I'm not sure.

Answer 3

I don't understand the symbols. For example, what does c4 mean?

Answer 4

I'm not sure, that's precisely how the question is laid out on my worksheet. It's not an exponent or anything.
a2b7c4

a5b3c2