To simplify the expression \( \frac{3x^3y^{-4}}{12x y^4} \) using the properties of integer exponents, we can follow these steps:
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Separate the coefficients and the variables: \[ \frac{3}{12} \cdot \frac{x^3}{x} \cdot \frac{y^{-4}}{y^4} \]
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Simplify the coefficients: \[ \frac{3}{12} = \frac{1}{4} \]
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Simplify the \( x \) terms using the property \( \frac{x^a}{x^b} = x^{a-b} \): \[ \frac{x^3}{x} = x^{3-1} = x^2 \]
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Simplify the \( y \) terms using the property \( \frac{y^a}{y^b} = y^{a-b} \): \[ \frac{y^{-4}}{y^4} = y^{-4-4} = y^{-8} \]
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Combine everything: \[ \frac{1}{4} x^2 y^{-8} \]
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Rearranging to express it with positive exponents: \[ \frac{x^2}{4y^8} \]
Thus, the equivalent algebraic expression to \( \frac{3x^3y^{-4}}{12xy^4} \) is: \[ \frac{x^2}{4y^8} \]
None of the provided choices match this exact expression, but let's check which is most similar:
- \( \frac{3}{12x^4y^8} \) simplifies to \( \frac{1}{4x^4y^8} \)
- \( \frac{1}{4x^4y^8} \) does not match.
- \( \frac{1}{4x^{12}} \) does not match.
- \( 4x^4y^8 \) does not match.
Therefore, the closest choice that simplifies correctly would be \( \frac{1}{4}x^2y^{-8} \) (if presented in the selection with all positive exponents).
Given the provided options, it seems like the correct consideration is not present, but if sticking strictly to provided expressions, \( \frac{1}{4x^4y^8} \) can be marked as the simplest equivalent structure available, yet the primary answer from simplification is \( \frac{x^2}{4y^8} \).