Answer
$$ \frac{3 - 16x}{48x^2}$$
Work Step by Step
To simplify, we remember the rules for exponents:
$$ a^b \times a ^c = a ^ {b+c}$$
$$ \frac {a^b}{a^c} = a ^ {b-c}$$
$$ a ^ {b^c} = a^{bc}$$
This gives:
$$ \frac {1} {16x^2} - \frac{1}{3x}$$
We multiply both terms to create like denominators:
$$ (\frac {1} {16x^2} \times \frac{3}{3}) - (\frac{1}{3x} \times \frac{16x}{16x})$$
Now, we use PEMDAS, a method for simplification. This acronym reminds us that we must first address parentheses, and then exponents. Next, we address multiplication and division, going from left to right. Lastly, we simplify addition and subtraction from left to right. This gives:
$$ \frac{3 - 16x}{48x^2}$$
