How do you simplify #\frac { 5x ^ { 3} \cdot 2x ^ { 2} } { 5x ^ { 4} }#?

2 Answers

Divide out common factors.

#2x#

Explanation:

#( 5x^3 xx 2 x^2)/ (5x^4) = (5 xx 2 xx x^5)/(5 x^4)#

# (5 xx 2 xx x^5) / (5x^4) = cancel5/cancel5 xx cancel(x^4)/cancel(x^4) xx 2 xx x #

Dividing out common factors leaves.

# 2 xx x #

Sep 18, 2017

#2x#

Explanation:

#(cancel5x^3 * 2x^2)/(cancel5x^4)" "larr# cancel #(5/5=1)#

#=(2x^5)/(x^4)" "larr# to multiply, add the indices of like bases

#=2x" "larr# to divide, subtract the indices of like bases