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I know this is very basic, but when evaluating

$\frac{b^{-4}}{b^{-4}}$

Apparently I cannot write it as $\frac{b^4}{b^4}$ by moving the expressions to make them positive. Why can't I do that? The answer is supposed to be $b^8$ not 1, like I originally thought.

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The answer is $1$. – André Nicolas Nov 6 '12 at 1:44
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I think you understanding is incorrect. That is clearly 1, ($b \ne 0$). The only way that is $b^8$ is the question is $\frac{b^4}{b^{-4}}$ – Peter Grill Nov 6 '12 at 1:44
I was looking at my sister's math HW, and I told her it's 1, but apparently that was wrong. That's why I was confused. – Newbie Nov 6 '12 at 1:45
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Well whoever told you it was not 1 was wrong. – Peter Grill Nov 6 '12 at 1:45
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Then it is $b^{-8}$, or $\frac{1}{b^8}$. – André Nicolas Nov 6 '12 at 1:53
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Your answer is flawed. The answer is one because any real number divided by itself equals one.

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Is 0/0 = 1?.... – Ram Apr 5 at 16:46

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