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View Full Version : Help! Simplifying algebraic fractions


lulabell97
Jun 20, 2012, 12:21 PM
Simplify fully:
15x3 y2
___________
5xy

lulabell97
Jun 20, 2012, 12:24 PM
by the way the x is the algebraic one not times and the 2 and 3 in the numerator are meant to be power numbers

ebaines
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 the 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.