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Simplify and express your answer using positive exponents only. Variables are restricted to avoid division by 0.

[tex]\[
\frac{x^{-6}}{x^{-4}}
\][/tex]

[tex]\[
\frac{x^{-6}}{x^{-4}} = \square \text{ (Use positive exponents only.)}
\][/tex]


Sagot :

To simplify the given expression [tex]\(\frac{x^{-6}}{x^{-4}}\)[/tex] and express the answer using positive exponents only, follow these steps:

1. Understand the properties of exponents:
- When dividing like bases, you subtract the exponent of the denominator from the exponent of the numerator: [tex]\[ \frac{a^m}{a^n} = a^{m-n} \][/tex]

2. Apply this property to the given expression:
[tex]\[ \frac{x^{-6}}{x^{-4}} = x^{-6 - (-4)} \][/tex]

3. Simplify the exponent:
- Subtracting a negative is equivalent to adding the positive value:
[tex]\[ x^{-6 - (-4)} = x^{-6 + 4} \][/tex]
[tex]\[ x^{-6 + 4} = x^{-2} \][/tex]

4. Express the answer using positive exponents:
- Recall that [tex]\(x^{-n} = \frac{1}{x^n}\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ x^{-2} = \frac{1}{x^2} \][/tex]

Therefore, the simplified expression using positive exponents is:

[tex]\[ \frac{x^{-6}}{x^{-4}} = \frac{1}{x^2} \][/tex]

Alternative way to express the answer using exponential notation:
- The expression [tex]\(x^{-2}\)[/tex] can also be written as an exponent in terms of the natural logarithm's properties:
[tex]\[ x^{-2} = \exp(-2 \log(x)) \][/tex]

Thus, the complete transformation of the initial expression is:

[tex]\[ \frac{x^{-6}}{x^{-4}} = x^{-2} = \frac{1}{x^2} = \exp(-2 \log(x)) \][/tex]