Question

We were never taught this in class, and I understand it, kind of... but i'm just confused with everything.

Answer 1

In simpler terms, you would combine all the xs and ys by using addition in the exponents so you would have x to the fifth times y to the tenth on top and then x to the ninth times y on the bottom.

Answer 2

Its alright, You are doing better than a whole bunch of people
you know why?
because you realized you needed help and asked.

Now, aside from mushy pep talk, let me help you a bit.

When multiplying numbers with exponents, its the same as adding the exponents so
`x^(2) * x^(3) = x^(5)`
cool right?

now you can take your answer
`( x^(5) y^(10))/( x^(9) y^(5))`

Remember though, if you don't see the exponent, it is 1, not zero.

so if you noticed,
`x * x^(8) = x^(9)`
just remember that and you should be fine

also, if you have to simplify more, and example would be
`( x^(2) )/(x) = x`

you get that from subtracting the
`x^(1)` from the top
`x^(2)`

BUT

if it is
`( x^(2) y^(2) )/( x^(2))` YOU DO NOTHING this is because that
`x^(2)` on the top is being multiplied by
`y^(2)`, which means it changes the equations value