Simplify to positive exponents only

1. (X^4)^3
2. (X^-3)^-2
3. (4^-1)(3^-1)
4. (4ab^)(-5a^3b^2)
5. (5a^8b^-12)(-10a^3b^7)

1 answer

just add exponents. If it winds up negative, it's in the denominator.

#3: (4^-1)(3^-1) = (4*3)^-1 = 12^-1 = 1/12