Question

How do you simplify `(4w^3z^2)/( 5w^2)`?

Answer 1

`0.8wz^2`

Explanation:

This fraction can be split up into different parts to make it easier to work with,

`(4w^3z^2)/(5w^2) = 4/5 * w^3/w^2 * z^2/1`

which are easier to simplify. You can check you've split it up right by multiplying the tops together and the bottoms together and you should get the original fraction.

`4/5 = 0.8`

`w^3/w^2 = w^(3-2) = w^1 = w` (using laws of indices)

and `z^2/1 = z^2`.

Putting these back together, you get

`(4w^3z^2)/(5w^2) = 0.8wz^2`

Answer 2

`(4wz^2)/5`

Explanation:

As a general rule, if a question is presented to me in a particular format I assume that the answer is meant to be in the same format unless instructed otherwise.

Given:`" "(4w^3z^2)/(5w^2)`

Splitting (partitioning) the fraction (rational expression)

`4/5xxw^3/w^2xxz^2" " =" " 4/5xxwxxz^2`

Putting it back together

`(4wz)/5`