To simplify the expression \( 150 \cdot 7^{-2} \cdot (-4)^{-3} \) and express it with only positive exponents, let’s break this down step by step.
-
Recognize each component:
- \( 150 \) can be left as is for now since it's not in the form of a single base raised to an exponent.
- \( 7^{-2} \) is already in the correct form with a negative exponent.
- \( (-4)^{-3} \) needs to be rewritten.
-
Rewrite negative exponents:
- According to the property \( a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n} \), we can rewrite \( 7^{-2} \):
\[
7^{-2} = \frac{1}{7^2}
\]
- We also rewrite \( (-4)^{-3} \):
\[
(-4)^{-3} = \frac{1}{(-4)^3}
\]
-
Combine the terms:
Now rewrite the entire expression:
\[
150 \cdot \frac{1}{7^2} \cdot \frac{1}{(-4)^3} = \frac{150}{7^2 \cdot (-4)^3}
\]
-
Calculate \((-4)^3\):
\[
(-4)^3 = -64
\]
Therefore, the expression becomes:
\[
\frac{150}{7^2 \cdot (-64)}
\]
This will still have negative components.
-
Check the given options:
- \( 4372 \)
- \( \frac{4^3}{7^2} \)
- \( (-4)^3 \)
- \( \frac{7^2}{(-4)^3} \)
- \( 172 \cdot (-4)^{-3} \)
- \( \frac{1}{7^2 \cdot (-4)^{-3}} \)
Looking at these options, raise all to express with positive exponents wherever applicable:
From the options given, the best candidate among them is:
- \( \frac{7^2}{(-4)^3} \), which maintains the proper structure indicating positive exponents for \( 7^2 \) but still has a negative base for \((-4)^3\).
Thus, the equivalent expression with only positive exponents is:
\[
\frac{7^2}{(-4)^3}
\]
This answer already captures the conversion with positive exponents on \( 7 \) while noting \( (-4) \) remains negative, meeting the condition of lacking negative exponents in the context provided.