# help! simplifying algebraic fractions

simplify fully:
15x3 y2
___________
5xy

 lulabell97 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1 New Member #2 Jun 20, 2012, 12:24 PM
btw the x is the algebraic one not times and the 2 and 3 in the numerator are meant to be power numbers
 ebaines Posts: 10,050, Reputation: 5539 Expert #3 Jun 21, 2012, 06:54 AM
When you divide a number raised to a power by that same number raised to a different power the result is that number raised to the difference of teh two powers:

$
\frac {x^a}{x^b} = x^{(a-b)}
$

For example:

$
\frac {z^7}{z^5} = z^{(7-5)} = z^2
$

You can apply this principle to the x and y terms in your homework problem. As for the 15 in the numerator and 5 in the denominator - I will assume that you know what 15 divided by 5 is.

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