Fully simplify using only positive exponents.

Question

start fraction, 5, x, to the power 7 , y, to the power 8 , divided by, 125, x, to the power 8 , y, to the power 5 , end fraction
125x
8
y
5

5x
7
y
8

​

Answer 1

To simplify the expression, divide the coefficients and subtract the exponents of the variables with the same base:

start fraction, 5 x to the power 7 y to the power 8, divided by 125 x to the power 8 y to the power 5, end fraction

= (5/125) * (x^7/x^8) * (y^8/y^5)

= 1/25 * x^(7-8) * y^(8-5)

= 1/25 * x^(-1) * y^3

= y^3 / (25x)