Example

Simplifying (y9y4)2\left(\frac{y^9}{y^4}\right)^2 Using the Quotient and Power Properties

Simplify (y9y4)2\left(\frac{y^9}{y^4}\right)^2 by applying the Quotient Property inside the parentheses first, then the Power Property.

Start with the expression (y9y4)2\left(\frac{y^9}{y^4}\right)^2.

  1. Simplify inside the parentheses first. Parentheses take priority over exponents. The fraction y9y4\frac{y^9}{y^4} has the same base yy in both the numerator and denominator, and 9>49 > 4. Apply the Quotient Property: y9y4=y94=y5\frac{y^9}{y^4} = y^{9-4} = y^5. The expression becomes (y5)2(y^5)^2.
  2. Apply the Power Property. The expression is now a power raised to a power. Multiply the exponents: (y5)2=y52=y10(y^5)^2 = y^{5 \cdot 2} = y^{10}.

The result is y10y^{10}. This example highlights the importance of order of operations: because the fraction is enclosed in parentheses, the Quotient Property is applied first to simplify the base before the outer exponent is applied via the Power Property.

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Updated 2026-04-21

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