My Math Forum Need some help with simplification
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January 23rd, 2011, 05:44 PM   #1
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Need some help with simplification

[attachment=0:3fsjsh0i]simplify.JPG[/attachment:3fsjsh0i]

This bit of math(obviously not an equation) appears in a pretest my granddaughter needs to solve. She is home-schooled and I am her learning coach and I can't figure it out either. I've tried putting it through several programs and don't get the same answer twice. Could some one here show me the steps to solving it so I can teach it to her. I will ignore any remarks as to my own aptitude and whether she needs a professional. With that out of the way, I am humbly yours,
Paul
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 January 23rd, 2011, 05:55 PM #2 Senior Member     Joined: Jul 2010 From: St. Augustine, FL., U.S.A.'s oldest city Posts: 12,211 Thanks: 522 Math Focus: Calculus/ODEs Re: Need some help with simplification We start with: $\frac{x^3x^6y^9$$z^{-9}$$^6}{$$xy$$^3}$ In the numerator we may use: $x^3x^6=x^9$ (In general, $a^ba^c=a^{b+c}$ ) and $$$z^{-9}$$^6=z^{-54}$ (In general $$$a^b$$^c=a^{bc}$ ) In the denominator we may use: $$$xy$$^3=x^3y^3$ (In general $$$ab$$^c=a^cb^c$ ) So, we now have: $\frac{x^9y^9z^{-54}}{x^3y^3}$ For x and y we may use $\frac{a^b}{a^c}=a^{b-c}$ and for z we may use $a^{-b}=\frac{1}{a^b}$ to get $\frac{x^6y^6}{z^{54}}$ Since all of the exponents are multiples of 6, we may write it as: $$$\frac{xy}{z^9}$$^6$
 January 23rd, 2011, 08:38 PM #3 Newbie   Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Re: Need some help with simplification Beautiful! I didn't expect a reply so soon. AND I understood it! This seems to be the part and parcel of Algebra, manipulating the numbers(and variables) around until you can do something with them. I remembered the rules of dividing exponents and changing the signs when you bring them above and below the line when I saw your step by step tutorial! Many thanks and be prepared, I may become a regular here. BTW your formulas are beautifully written. How did you do that without turning them into a jpg? Paul
 January 23rd, 2011, 08:58 PM #4 Senior Member     Joined: Jul 2010 From: St. Augustine, FL., U.S.A.'s oldest city Posts: 12,211 Thanks: 522 Math Focus: Calculus/ODEs Re: Need some help with simplification To create math symbols use the latex tab. Here is the site I use to find what syntax to use: http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/W.../LaTeX:Symbols Also, see: http://www.mymathforum.com/latex.htm http://www.codecogs.com/latex/eqneditor.php There are other good sites as well. Put LaTeX into Google, or search it on this site to find more info. One thing I do is when I see a post using LaTeX in a way I am unfamiliar with is to quote that post to see what syntax was used, and then go back one page with my browser without submitting the post.
 January 23rd, 2011, 10:03 PM #5 Newbie   Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Re: Need some help with simplification Hey I tried that quoting and it worked! I have heard of latex, and tried to downolad it and a WYSIWUG editor but I had so much trouble with it I quit and downloaded Mathtype. Mathtype is good and it's not as clunky as Expression editor 3 that is in my Word 2003. At \$100 US, It's pretty expensive though. I'll just have to put it on my wish list I guess. I haven't found any Algebra textbooks I like for teaching my granddaughters so I'm writing my own. I don't think anything can compare to the Algebra text for electronics written by Capt Nelson Cooke A half century ago. Thanks, Paul
 January 23rd, 2011, 10:11 PM #6 Senior Member     Joined: Jul 2010 From: St. Augustine, FL., U.S.A.'s oldest city Posts: 12,211 Thanks: 522 Math Focus: Calculus/ODEs Re: Need some help with simplification You don't need to buy anything, you can learn as you go. The more you use it, the easier it it is to use. Hope to see you around, post up any questions you have, and someone will be there to help.

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