ANYONE?! Help!! Simplifying this expression!!!?

Question

Hey! I need help simplifying this expression:

(2a^-4b^2)^3/4a^-2b^-1

Thanks!

It's urgent! I have no idea where to begin!

Answer 1

ok ill try
lets work backwards
(2a^-4b^2)^3/4a^-2b^-1
(2a^-4b^2)^3/4a^1/(-2b)
(2a^-4b^2)^3/(-8ab)
2a^-4b^6/(-8ab)
2a^-24b/(-8ab)
2a^3/a i think this is your answer if not im sorry

Answer 2

It's not that hard (I think).
You need to combine like terms. This means that if you have 2x+4+3x+2=y, you combine 2x and 3x witch that =5x and you also combine 4 and 2 = 6. You can not combine a number with out a variable with a number with a variable because they are not like terms. If you have two different variables in a equation (such as a and b) you do NOT combine them together because they are not alike.
So you would combine in your problem 2a and 3/4a. Also combine -4b and -2b, and 2 and -1. The answer is 2.75a^8b^-1. I may not be right because I'm not sure if it is 2a^MINUS4b^2 or 2a^NEGATIVE4b^2. I went with negative, but still if it is subtraction, still combine like terms. If I were you I would change the hole problem into addition so for example 2x-3+5=y would be changed into 2x+-3+5=y. This is much easier for combining like terms.

I hope I helped, and this makes sense to you. I might not have gotten this wrong, but I still hope you find the answer!!!