Question

Hi! How do you simplify the following using the laws of exponents?

1. -2m^2 n^-3 /(mn^-2)^2

2. (-2pq)^-2 / 2pq^-2

For number 1, I don't have any idea but for number 2, I arrived at 1/2p. Is that right? Thanks much in advance.

Answer 1

#1.
-2m^2 n^-3 /(mn^-2)^2
-2m^2 n^-3 /(m^2n^-4)
-2m^(2-2) n^(-3+4)
-2n

#2.
(-2pq)^-2 / 2pq^-2
(-2)^-2 p^-2 q^-1 / 2pq^-2
1/8 p^(-2-1) q^(-1+2)
q/8p^3

Answer 2

Oops.
#2.
(-2pq)^-2 / 2pq^-2
(-2)^-2 p^-2 q^<b>-2</b> / 2pq^-2
1/8 p^(-2-1) q^(-2+2)
1/8p^3