Math Problem Statement

Simplify the exponential expression. Assume that the variables represent nonzero real numbers: (x^4 * y^6 * z^5) / (x^-4 * y^-6 * z^-5))^-2

Solution

The given expression is:

(x4y6z5x4y6z5)2\left( \frac{x^4 y^6 z^5}{x^{-4} y^{-6} z^{-5}} \right)^{-2}

Step 1: Simplify the expression inside the parentheses.

Apply the laws of exponents. Specifically, when dividing powers of the same base, subtract the exponents:

x4x4=x4(4)=x4+4=x8\frac{x^4}{x^{-4}} = x^{4 - (-4)} = x^{4 + 4} = x^8 y6y6=y6(6)=y6+6=y12\frac{y^6}{y^{-6}} = y^{6 - (-6)} = y^{6 + 6} = y^{12} z5z5=z5(5)=z5+5=z10\frac{z^5}{z^{-5}} = z^{5 - (-5)} = z^{5 + 5} = z^{10}

So, the expression simplifies to:

(x8y12z10)2(x^8 y^{12} z^{10})^{-2}

Step 2: Apply the exponent of 2-2.

To apply this exponent to each factor, multiply the exponents by 2-2:

x8×(2)=x16x^{8 \times (-2)} = x^{-16} y12×(2)=y24y^{12 \times (-2)} = y^{-24} z10×(2)=z20z^{10 \times (-2)} = z^{-20}

Thus, the simplified expression is:

x16y24z20x^{-16} y^{-24} z^{-20}

Step 3: Write in standard form.

Since all the exponents are negative, you can rewrite the expression with positive exponents in the denominator:

1x16y24z20\frac{1}{x^{16} y^{24} z^{20}}

So, the fully simplified expression is:

1x16y24z20\boxed{\frac{1}{x^{16} y^{24} z^{20}}}

Would you like more details, or do you have any questions?

Here are 5 related questions:

  1. What are the laws of exponents, and how are they applied in simplifying expressions?
  2. How do negative exponents affect the position of a base in a fraction?
  3. What happens when you raise an exponential expression to a power?
  4. Can you generalize the steps for simplifying any rational expression with exponents?
  5. How would the result change if the original exponent outside the parentheses were positive?

Tip: When working with exponents, always remember to carefully apply the rules for multiplication, division, and raising powers, as they follow strict patterns.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Exponents
Algebraic simplification
Negative exponents

Formulas

a^m / a^n = a^(m-n)
(a^m)^n = a^(m*n)

Theorems

Laws of exponents

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12