Factor the numerator and denominator completely
Rewrite repeated factors using exponents
Cancel common factors with the same base
Use the quotient rule: a^m / a^n = a^(m-n)
Simplify coefficients separately from variables
Apply the power rule: (a^m)^n = a^(m n)
Simplify negative exponents by moving factors across the fraction bar
Simplify zero exponents by replacing them with 1
Reduce the final fraction to lowest terms
Check that no common factors remain in the numerator and denominator