Exponent issues .

allyonline said:
4x/[-12x^-5(y^-1)]

When typing algebraic ratios with a keyboard, it's important to put grouping symbols around the denominator.
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I guessed above that the given ratio is supposed to be:

\(\displaystyle \frac{4x}{-12x^{-5}y^{-1}}\)

If this is not correct, please fix your typing.

Does it help you to see the ratio factored as below ?

\(\displaystyle \frac{4}{-12} \cdot \frac{x}{x^{-5}} \cdot \frac{1}{y^{-1}}\)

In other words, do you know how to handle negative exponents ? Do you know how to reduce fractions ?
 
Yeah, that's how it was suppose to be written.
This is what I did & now I'm stuck again

4/[-12](x/[x^5])(1/[y^-1])
= -3(x^-5+-1)(y^1)
=-3(x^-6)y
=-3x^-6y

??????
 
Okay calculator says -8 . I still don't understand how that equals x^6y/3 . Oh well :(
 
allyonline said:
Okay calculator says -8 . I still don't understand how that equals x^6y/3 . Oh well :(
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4/(-12) = -8 ? :shock: 4 - 12 = -8 : are you tired? :wink:

Go back and redo what you did: you have a typo showing x^5 instead of x^(-5);
with 4/(-12) = -3, you should get proper answer of x^6 y / (-3)
 
Well the person above me said that it didn't equal -3 !!! But I got the answer now ! Thanks .
 
UGH ! I'm giving up, I don't understand this problem and why it works the way it does at all !
 


Thinking that 4 divided by -12 equals -3 shows that you might not be ready for this type of exercise.

Getting -8 on a calculator, after dividing 4 by -12, shows that you do not know how to use a calculator.

I think that you should give up for a few hours. Take a break.

If you change your mind about giving up AND you can form a specific question, then I will be more than happy to continue helping you.

Cheers ~ Mark 8-)

 
Well thanks for basically calling me an idiot lol .
But okay, show me how you would work it then .
 
allyonline said:
Well thanks for basically calling me an idiot lol . You're welcome lol .

But okay, show me how you would work it then .
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I would factor the given expression, as I showed earlier.

Then, I would simplify the ratio 4/(-12).

Then, I would apply the following property of exponents to x/x^(-5):

x^n/x^m = x^(n - m)

Then, I would apply the definition of negative exponents to 1/y^(-1).

Do you have any specific questions about this exercise ?

 
allyonline said:
actually it says : -x^6y/3
Click to expand...

Well, there you go !

What the book says is not what you typed.

If you do not type what you mean, how are we supposed to read your mind ?

 
allyonline said:
That helped a little .

If it only helps a little, then you might need more practice reducing fractions and working with properties of exponents. Such skills are prerequisites for this type of exercise.
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4/(-12) = -1/3

x/x^(-5) = x^(1 - [-5]) = x^(1 + 5) = x^6

1/y^(-1) = 1/(1/y) = (1/1)*(y/1) = y

Multiplying these three simplified factors back together yields -x^6y/3.

In the future, if you can ask questions specifically about exactly what confuses you, we both might save some time. 8-)



PS: There are different ways to simplify the given ratio. I showed only one approach.

 
I didn't think about simplifying the 4/-12 . After I did that it all came together .
So thanks for telling me that .
 
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