Easy Algebra Step-by-Step

76 Easy Algebra Step-by-Step

Problem Simplify.

a.

x

x

5

3

b.

y

x

5

2

c. xy

xy

(^75) y
(^23) y
d.
x
x
3
10
Solution
a.
x
x
5
3
Step 1. Check for exponential expressions that have the same base.
x
x
5
3
x^5 and x^3 have the same base, namely, x.
Step 2. Simplify
x
x
5
3. Keep the base x and subtract
the exponents 5 and 3.
x
x
xx
5
3
=x^532
b. y
x
5
2
Step 1. Check for exponential expressions that have
the same base.
y
x
5
2
y
(^5) and x (^2) do not have the same base, so the quotient cannot be
simplifi ed.
x
x
x
5
3
≠^53 /. When dividing,
subtract the exponents of the
same base, don’t divide them.
y
x
y
x
5
2
3
≠⎜⎛⎛⎝⎝⎛⎝ ⎞⎠⎟⎞⎞⎠⎠. This is a common
error that you should avoid.