a) Definition used:
Definition of rational exponents:
"For any rational exponent in its lowest terms, where m and n are integers and we define,
Formula used:
"The product of two powers with the same base a and different exponents m and n is given by,
That is, while multiplying two powers with same base, the exponents are added and the base will remain the same.
Calculation:
The given expression is
Use the definition of rational exponents and the above formula and simplify the expression as shown below.
Therefore, the simplified form of the expression is
b) Use the definition of rational exponents and the formula mentioned in sub part (a) and simplify the expression as shown below.
Therefore, the simplified form of the expression is