Mathematics

Problem

Consider the algebraic expression

Q=4a^{7}b^{-3}-2a^{5}b^{-5}+8a^{6}b^{-4}.

(a) Factor out the highest common power of

a

and

b

from

Q

. (b) Simplify the resulting expression so that no negative exponents remain. (c) Evaluate your simplified result when

a=2

and

b=\dfrac{1}{2}