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Equation not balancing

I have the following expression: (3a^-2 * b)/(-3a^2). To my understanding this expression can be simplified to (-a^-4 * b) because:

3/3 = 1

a^-2/a^2 = a^-4

b remains the same

When I substitute actual values for the variables the equation doesn't balance.
a=2, b=4

-(3a^-2 * b)/(-3a^2) = -a^-4 * b

-(3(0.25)(4))/(-3(4)) = (0.0625)(4)

-3/-12 = 0.25

-0.25 = 0.25

Why is there a polarity difference? What am I not understanding?

byundt

Double-check step 1 in your simplification. You should have a minus sign on the bottom.

(3)/(-3) = -1

byundt

And when you plugged values into the original equation, you put a minus sign in two places on the left side, where the original expression only had 1.

NevSoFly

ASKER

I'm sorry both of those were typos. The steps should be as below. The equation still doesn't balance.

•(3a^-2 * b)/(-3a^2) = -a^-4 * b

•(3(0.25)(4))/(-3(4)) = (0.0625)(4)

•3/-12 = 0.25

•-0.25 = 0.25

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Enabbar Ocap

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byundt

[3a^-2*b]/(-3a^2) = -a^-4*b

Plug in a = 2 and b = 4
[3*4/(2^2)] / (-3 * 2^2) = -4/(2^4)

[3*4/4] / (-3*4) = -4/16

[3]/(-12) = -.25

-.25 = -.25

Enabbar Ocap

An example in case it helps:
You have -3a^2 which comes out to -3*2^2 = -12, but on your right hand side you have
-a^-4 which could be written as -1a^-4 = -1*0.0625 = -0.0625.
Hope this helps.

NevSoFly

ASKER

That was right in front of my face and I didn't see it, Thanks.