Question

Simplify a^5 x a^3/ a^4

Answer 1

a⁴

Explanation:

So we are looking at the equation a⁵
`(a^(3) )/(a^(4))`.

First, let's look at the fraction. It may look hard trying to simplify that, so let's expand it.

`(a^(3) )/(a^(4))` =
`((a)(a)(a))/((a)(a)(a)(a))`

Now, we know that if in a fraction, there are like terms in the numerator and denominator, we can cancel them out.

`((a)(a)(a))/((a)(a)(a)(a))` =
`(1)/(a)`

So, now our equation is a⁵
`(1)/(a)`. Next, we multiply them together.

a⁵
`(1)/(a)` =
`(a^(5) )/(a)`

Now remember, every number that has no exponent has an invisible 1 exponent. For example, 2x can also be written as 2x¹. When dividing like numbers/letters with different exponents, simply subtract them.

`(a^(5) )/(a)` = a⁴