Example

Simplify the following: (5xy)(8x²y³) / 10x³y²

The first step is to simplify the top part of the equation. Once this is done we get the following:

(5xy)(8x²y³) / 10x³y²
= 40x³y⁴ / 10x³y²

Now you can reduce like terms from the top and bottom. For example 40x³ divided by 10x³ will give you 4 and y⁴ divided by y² will give you t² so your final answer should look like this:

(5xy)(8x²y³) / 10x³y²
= 40x³y⁴ / 10x³y²
= 4y²

Example

Let’s try another example:

2x²y – 6xy / 2x

In this example we will divide the problem into two fractions, both with te denominator 2x

(2x²y/2x) – (6xy / 2x)

Now we will reduce each side such that we get the following:

2x²y – 6xy / 2x
= (2x²y/2x) – (6xy / 2x)
= xy – (6xy / 2x)
= xy – 3y