Question

What is the result if you divide –12x8y8 by 3x4y2?

a. 4x4y6
b. 4x2y4
c. –4x2y4
d. –4x4y6

Answer 1

option d is correct

`-4x^4y^6`

Explanation:

Using exponent rules:

`(a^n)/(a^m) = a^(n-m)`

Given that:

If you divide
`-12x^8y^8` by
`3x^4y^2`

⇒
`(-12x^8y^8)/(3x^4y^2)`

⇒
`(-4x^8y^8)/(x^4y^2)`

Using exponent rules, we have;

⇒
`-4x^(8-4)y^(8-2)`

⇒
`-4x^4y^6`

Therefore, If you divide
`-12x^8y^8` by
`3x^4y^2` we get;
`-4x^4y^6`

Answer 2

When dividing two numbers with the same base but with different powers, you subtract the second power from the first and keep the base. So in our case, -12*x^8*y^8 / 3*x^4*y^2 = -4*x^4*y^6. The correct answer is d.