# How to format complex fractions? Reciprocals? [closed]

How do I recreate this problem with this answer in mathematica? And similar problems?

I tried: (4 ab^3)/(a^2)/(8 a^2 b)/(b^2) but that outputs ab^3/(2 a^4 b^3)

EDIT: I added a space '(4 a b^3)/(a^2)/(8 a^2 b)/(b^2)' but it now outputs 1/2a^3

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## closed as too localized by Artes, Sjoerd C. de Vries, m_goldberg, rm -rf♦Mar 12 '13 at 3:52

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You need to add a space between a and b in ab. Mathematica thinks you're referring to the multi-letter symbol ab rather than the expression a*b. Also, your parentheses are wrong and don't match the original formula. –  John Fultz Mar 11 '13 at 21:31

You don't have a space between a and b in ab^3 so Mathematica thinks you have a variable called ab which you are trying to take the cube of rather than a*b^3 which is what you mean.
(4 a b^3)/(a^2)/((8 a^2 b)/(b^2))