(5x^3y^-5)(4xy^3)

2 min read Jun 16, 2024
(5x^3y^-5)(4xy^3)

Simplifying Algebraic Expressions: (5x³y⁻⁵)(4xy³)

This article will guide you through simplifying the algebraic expression **(5x³y⁻⁵)(4xy³) **.

Understanding the Basics

Before we begin, let's recall some fundamental rules of exponents:

  • Product of Powers: When multiplying exponents with the same base, add their powers: xᵃ * xᵇ = xᵃ⁺ᵇ
  • Negative Exponent: Any term raised to a negative exponent is equal to its reciprocal with a positive exponent: x⁻ᵃ = 1/xᵃ

Simplifying the Expression

  1. Combine the coefficients: Multiply the numerical coefficients: 5 * 4 = 20
  2. Combine x terms: Apply the Product of Powers rule to the x terms: x³ * x¹ = x³⁺¹ = x⁴
  3. Combine y terms: Apply the Product of Powers rule to the y terms: y⁻⁵ * y³ = y⁻⁵⁺³ = y⁻²
  4. Simplify the negative exponent: Apply the Negative Exponent rule to the y term: y⁻² = 1/y²

Final Result

Putting it all together, the simplified expression is: 20x⁴/y²

Therefore, (5x³y⁻⁵)(4xy³) = 20x⁴/y².

Key Takeaways

  • Remember the rules of exponents when dealing with algebraic expressions.
  • Simplifying expressions can make them easier to work with.
  • Practice applying the rules to different expressions to improve your understanding.

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