Question

simplify. express your answer using positive exponents.
$\frac{5b^{-7}c^{-1}}{5bc}$

Explanation:

Step1: Divide the coefficients

$\frac{5}{5}=1$

Step2: Use exponent - subtraction rule for like - bases

For the base $b$, we have $b^{-7}\div b = b^{-7 - 1}=b^{-8}$. For the base $c$, we have $c^{-1}\div c = c^{-1 - 1}=c^{-2}$.

Step3: Rewrite with positive exponents

$b^{-8}=\frac{1}{b^{8}}$ and $c^{-2}=\frac{1}{c^{2}}$. So the simplified form is $\frac{1}{b^{8}c^{2}}$.

Answer:

$\frac{1}{b^{8}c^{2}}$