explain how 4^6 x 4^-8 simplified is 1/16

To simplify 4^6 x 4^-8, we can combine the exponents by using the rule that states when you multiply numbers with the same base, you add the exponents. So, the expression becomes 4^(6+(-8)) which simplifies to 4^-2.

To further simplify, we can rewrite 4^-2 as 1/4^2, which is equal to 1/16. Therefore, 4^6 x 4^-8 simplified is 1/16.