Simplify (ab/xy)²: Squared Fraction Expression with Multiple Variables

Let's work through the solution step-by-step:

Step 1: Identify the expression
We are given the expression $\left(\frac{a \times b}{x \times y}\right)^2$.

Step 2: Apply the power of a fraction rule
Using the rule $\left(\frac{m}{n}\right)^p = \frac{m^p}{n^p}$, we can rewrite the expression as:

$\frac{(a \times b)^2}{(x \times y)^2}$.

Which matches option 1.

Step 3: Apply the distributive property of exponents over multiplication
Using the rule $(m \times n)^p = m^p \times n^p$, each part of the expression is expanded:

$(a \times b)^2 = a^2 \times b^2$ and $(x \times y)^2 = x^2 \times y^2$.

Thus, the expression becomes:

$\frac{a^2 \times b^2}{x^2 \times y^2}$.

Step 4: Identify the correct choice
Looking at the provided options, choice 3 is:

$\frac{a^2 \times b^2}{x^2 \times y^2}$ and option 1 is$\frac{(a \times b)^2}{(x \times y)^2}$

Both expression matches our derived solution, confirming that the correct answer is choice 4, A+C are correct.