Help with multiplying fractions

[abrhemmingson]

I have a problem that I cannot figure out.

8x^3/7y^4 multiplied by 14y^6/16x^2

Those are supposed to be fractions.

I cannot figure out how to solve this problem, the exponents are messing me up.
Please help

 

[wjm11]

8x^3/7y^4 multiplied by 14y^6/16x^2

There are some great examples and explanations here:

http://www.purplemath.com/modules/simpexpo.htm

Remember, also, that with fractions, you just multiply straight across:

(8x^3/7y^4)( 14y^6/16x^2) = [(8)(14)(x^3)(y^6)]/[(7)(16)(x^2)(y^4)]

Now you are ready to start canceling things between the top and bottom.

 

[chrisr]

If the exponents are messing you up,
the exponent gives the number of x's in a row multiplied together
and the same for the y's.
So, x^3 is x(x)x, three x's multiplied together.
If you divide that by x^2 = x(x), how many x's are left ?
Then as a shortcut after that, you learn to subtract exponents to discover what's left
after division.

So you move the x^2 under the x^3 and the y^4 under the y^6 to find out
how many x's are left multiplied together and how many y's also.