What's a linear pattern?

Which statement most accurately describe why the division property of exponents does not apply to the expression (-8)^2/(-3)^4

Two cyclists 84 miles apart start riding toward each other at the samen time. one cycles 2 times as fast as the other. if they meet 4 hours later what is the speed (in miles) of the faster cyclists

Some boys and girls were asked if they had a pet. one third of the group were boys. there were 20 boys. 20% of the girls had a pet. boys with a pet : girls with a pet = 1 : 5 i need to know how many girls there are.