How do you simplify #16^(-3/4)#?

1 Answer
Apr 9, 2015

#1/8#

Explanation:

Firstly, you should change the 16 into the simplest base-power form.

#16=2^4#

#16^(-3/4) = (2^4)^(-3/4)#

As we remember, the formula of multiplying powers, where
#(a^m)^n = a^(mn)#

Therefore,
#(2^4)^(-3/4) = 2^(-12/4)=2^-3#

Here we can apply the Indew law of #a^-n=1/a^n#
Hence, #2^-3=1/2^3=1/8#

#16^(-3/4)=1/8#