(12/3) (x^8/x^4)(y^9/y^6)
4 * x^4 * y^3
Hi,
How do I simplify and state the restrictions on the following:
12x^8y^9 / 3x^4y^6
what do I need to factor out? I'm so confused, I never know what I'm allowed to factor out.
3 answers
you can remove (cancel)common factors from the numerator and denominator
... like 3 , x^4 , and y^6
leaving ... 4 x^4 y^3
... this expression has no restrictions
BUT ...
the original expression had variables in the denominator (that were cancelled)
... these variables cannot be zero
... division by zero is a BIG no-no
if you graph the original expression, there will be holes where x and/or y equal zero
... because the numerator and denominator both equal zero
... like 3 , x^4 , and y^6
leaving ... 4 x^4 y^3
... this expression has no restrictions
BUT ...
the original expression had variables in the denominator (that were cancelled)
... these variables cannot be zero
... division by zero is a BIG no-no
if you graph the original expression, there will be holes where x and/or y equal zero
... because the numerator and denominator both equal zero
Thank you! That helped me a lot and I understand it now.
1 answer