IDNLearn.com makes it easy to find accurate answers to your questions. Find accurate and detailed answers to your questions from our experienced and dedicated community members.

Which expression is equivalent to [tex]\frac{b^{-2}}{a b^{-3}}[/tex]? Assume [tex]a \neq 0, b \neq 0[/tex].

A. [tex]\frac{a}{b^5}[/tex]

B. [tex]\frac{1}{a b^5}[/tex]

C. [tex]\frac{a^3 b}{1}[/tex]

D. [tex]\frac{b}{a}[/tex]


Sagot :

Let's consider the given expression:

[tex]\[ \frac{b^{-2}}{a b^{-3}} \][/tex]

We need to simplify this expression step-by-step.

1. Rewrite the expression using properties of exponents:
Recall that [tex]\( b^{-n} = \frac{1}{b^n} \)[/tex]. Therefore:
[tex]\[ b^{-2} = \frac{1}{b^2} \quad \text{and} \quad b^{-3} = \frac{1}{b^3} \][/tex]

2. Substitute these into the given expression:
[tex]\[ \frac{b^{-2}}{a b^{-3}} = \frac{\frac{1}{b^2}}{a \cdot \frac{1}{b^3}} \][/tex]

3. Combine the terms in the denominator:
The denominator [tex]\( a \cdot \frac{1}{b^3} \)[/tex] can be written as [tex]\( \frac{a}{b^3} \)[/tex].

4. Rewrite the expression with this substitution:
[tex]\[ \frac{\frac{1}{b^2}}{\frac{a}{b^3}} \][/tex]

5. Simplify the fraction:
Dividing by a fraction is the same as multiplying by its reciprocal. Thus:
[tex]\[ \frac{\frac{1}{b^2}}{\frac{a}{b^3}} = \frac{1}{b^2} \times \frac{b^3}{a} = \frac{1 \cdot b^3}{b^2 \cdot a} = \frac{b^3}{b^2 a} \][/tex]

6. Simplify the expression further:
[tex]\[ \frac{b^3}{b^2 a} = \frac{b^{3-2}}{a} = \frac{b}{a} \][/tex]

Thus, the simplified expression is:

[tex]\[ \boxed{\frac{b}{a}} \][/tex]