How do you simplify \frac { 40k ^ { 4} } { 4k } - \frac { 44k ^ { 3} } { 4k } - \frac { 60k ^ { 2} } { 4k } - \frac { 4k } { 4k } - \frac { 21} { 4k }?

2 Answers
Apr 24, 2018

(40k^4-44k^3-60k^2-4k-21)/(4k) or

10k^3-11k^2-15k-1-(21/4k)

Explanation:

The denominator is the same for every term, so this will just be equal to

(40k^4-44k^3-60k^2-4k-21)/(4k)

The numerator is unfactorable, but we can divide all terms by 4k. We get:

10k^3-11k^2-15k-1-(21/4k)

Apr 24, 2018

10k^3 - 11k^2 - 15k - 1 - 21/(4k)

Explanation:

Notice that the variable, k, cancels out as:
k^a/k^b = k^(a-b)

This goes for any variable in division. The coefficients, or the constants, simplify as normal division. Such as 40/4 is 10.

21/4 does not cancel or simply, therefore it can be left alone. We could take it to 1/4*(21/k) if we wanted, but it's more simple as is.