Applying the geometric mean (altitude) Theorem. What is the value of a?

(01.03 mc) which of the following is a step in simplifying the expression x multiplied by y to the power of 2 over x to the power of negative 3 multiplied by y to the power of 3, the whole to the power of negative 4. select one: a. x to the power of negative 4 multiplied by y to the power of negative 2, the whole over x to the power of negative 7 multiplied by y to the power of negative 1. b. x to the power of negative 4 multiplied by y to the power of negative 8, the whole over x to the power of 12 multiplied by y to the power of negative 12. c. x to the power of negative 4 multiplied by y to the power of negative 8, the whole over x to the power of negative 3 multiplied by y to the power of 3. d. x to the power of negative 4 multiplied by y to the power of negative 2, the whole over x to the power of negative 3 multiplied by y to the power of 3.