How do you simplify #(x^-1y^-2)/z^-3#?

2 Answers
Mar 25, 2018

#z^3/(xy^2)#

Explanation:

Negative exponents:

#x^-2=1/x^2#

#1/x^-2=x^2/1=x^2#

Switch the places (numerator vs denominator) of the negative exponents

#(x^-1y^-2)/z^-3#

#z^3/(xy^2)#

Mar 25, 2018

#=>(z^3)/(xy^2)#

Explanation:

Technically, this is already simplified to some extent. There are no like-terms that can be combined.

However, if you would like to write this in terms of only positive powers, then:

#(x^(-1)y^(-2))/(z^(-3)) => (z^3)/(xy^2)#

Negative powers keep the same power, but can be rewritten as positive if placed in the opposite part of the fraction. So a negative power in the numerator is equivalent to a positive power in the denominator, and vice-versa.