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How do you simplify without negative exponents #(b^2)^-6/b^-4#?

Answer 1

Eva Abramson

The answer is #1/b^8#.

#(b^2)^-6/b^-4#

Simplify.

Apply exponent rule #(a^m)^n=a^(m*n)#

#b^(-12)/b^-4#

Apply quotient rule #a^m/a^n=a^(m-n)#

#b^(-12-(-4)=#

#b^(-12+4)=#

#b^-8#

Apply the negative exponent rule #a^(-m)=1/a^m#.

#b^(-8)=1/b^8#

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Answer 2

Savannah Anderson

To simplify without negative exponents, apply the power of a power rule: (b^2)^-6 / b^-4 = b^(2 * -6) / b^-4 = b^(-12) / b^-4 = b^(-12 - (-4)) = b^(-12 + 4) = b^-8

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.