What is the simplified form of;

Question

3a^4b^-2c^3

4, -2, and 3 are powers

A:
81a^4c^3
________
b^2

B:
81a^4
________
b^2c^3

C:
3a^4
________
b^2c^3

D:
3a^4c^3
________
b^2

I looked through my lesson but couldn't find out how to do this... I think its D?

Answer 1

You will need the rule for negative exponents

a^(-x) = 1/a^x

so....
3a^4b^-2c^3
= 3(a^4)(1/b^2)(c^3)
= 3 a^4 c^3 / b^2 , which matches D