Simplify, answerwrite with positive exponents: \( \frac{-8 a^{5} b^{9} c}{2 a^{3} b^{8} c^{-3}} \)
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The Deep Dive
To simplify \( \frac{-8 a^{5} b^{9} c}{2 a^{3} b^{8} c^{-3}} \), start by dividing the coefficients and applying the properties of exponents. 1. Divide the coefficients: \( \frac{-8}{2} = -4 \). 2. For \( a^{5} \div a^{3} \), use the rule \( a^{m} \div a^{n} = a^{m-n} \): \[ a^{5-3} = a^{2}. \] 3. For \( b^{9} \div b^{8} \): \[ b^{9-8} = b^{1} = b. \] 4. For \( c \div c^{-3} \), remember that dividing by a negative exponent is the same as multiplying by the positive exponent: \[ c \div c^{-3} = c^{1 - (-3)} = c^{4}. \] Putting it all together: \[ -4 a^{2} b c^{4}. \] Thus, the simplified expression with positive exponents is: \[ \boxed{-4 a^{2} b c^{4}}. \]