Dividing Monomials
When you multiply monomials, you multiply the coefficients and then add the exponents of the variables.
To divide, you subtract the exponents. Let's look at an example.
(5x3y12)÷(10x2y14)
We divide the coefficients and subtract the exponents in the second monomial from the exponents in the first monomial.
First, we simplify the coefficients.
(5x3y12)÷(10x2y14)=(10x2y14)5x3y12=(10x2y14)5x3y12=(2x2y14)1x3y12
Now, let's subtract the exponents for x.
=(2x2y14)1x3y12=(2y14)1x3−2y12=(2y14)1x1y12
Finally, we subtract the exponents for y and simplify.
=(2y14)1x1y12=(2)1x1y12−14=21x1y−2=21xy−2
Now, we know how to divide and multiply. An important idea in multiplying and dividing is factors. Factors are numbers or variables that multiply together to get an answer. An example is 2×3=6 where 2 and 3 are factors.
The factors for a monomial x5y3 are every combination xayb where a≤5 and b≤3. You can see this because if a=1 and b=1, we could see
(x1y1)×x4y2=x5y3
Now, let's try one.
The factors will be for every combination of a and b where m≤1 and n≤3.
If we start from the beginning, we have the factor x0y0 which will also yield the factor x1y3.
x0y0(x1y3)=x1y3
Next, we can use the factor x1y0 which will also yield x1y3.
x1y0(x0y3)=x1y3
This will continue.
m01010101n00112233Count12345678
There will be 8pairs.
Now you know how to multiply, divide, and have a basic understanding of factoring monomials. Go ahead and try the practice for this section!