Step by step
The question
Question: work out 10 factorial over 7 factorial.
1 Write out top and bottom
We write both factorials out.
10 factorial on top, 7 factorial at the bottom.
2 Cancel
7 times 6 times 5 times 4 times 3 times 2 times 1 is on top and at the bottom.
A top and a bottom divided by the same number: they cancel.
Careful!
We never divide 10 by 7.
We cancel the numbers that are the same.
What is left is 10 × 9 × 8.
3 Multiply
10 times 9 is 90.
90 times 8 is 720.
So it is 720.
4 Check
Let's check: 10 factorial is 10 times 9 times 8, times 7 factorial.
So dividing by 7 factorial leaves 10 times 9 times 8: 720.
So the answer is right!
Let's look back.
First: write out top and bottom.
Then: cancel.
Then: multiply.
Last: check.