The Algebra Teacher\'s Guide to Reteaching Essential Concepts and Skills

Name Date

WORKSHEET 5.10: DIVIDING MONOMIALS

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Use the property of exponents for division,

xm

xn

=xm−n, wherex=0 to divide monomials.

Follow these steps:

1. Simplify powers of powers, if necessary.


2. Simplify the quotients of the coefficients by dividing.


3. Identify common bases. Divide by subtracting the exponent in the denominator from
   the exponent in the numerator of each common base. If the exponents are the same,
   the quotient of those common bases is equal to 1.

EXAMPLE

Divide

(2x^3 )^3

2 x^7

.

Simplify powers of powers.

(2x^3 )^3

2 x^7

=

8 x^9

2 x^7

Simplify the coefficients.

8 x^9

2 x^7

= 4

x^9

x^7

Divide common bases by subtracting the exponents. 4

x^9

x^7

= 4 x^2

DIRECTIONS: Divide.

1.

6 x^2

3 x

2.

21 x^5

3 x^4

3.

(10a^2 )^3

4 a

4.

8 a^3 b^3

(2ab)^3

5.

x^2 y^4 z^3

x^2 y^4 z

6.

15 a^8

5 a

CHALLENGE:Rebecca found that

18 x^4 y^10

9 x^4 y^5

= 2 xy^2. Is she correct? If not, what

did she do wrong and what is the correct answer?

195

Copyright

©

2011 by Judith A. Muschla, Gary Robert Muschla, and Erin Muschla. All rights reserved.