Step by step
The question
Question: simplify 10x⁶ over 5x⁶.
10x65x6
1 Numbers and letters apart
We split it: numbers over numbers, and each letter over the same letter.
Fractions next to each other mean times.
= 105 x6x6
2 Cross out
We write the powers out.
x⁶ is 6 x's on top.
x⁶ is 6 x's on the bottom.
= 105 xxxxxxxxxxxx
x/x is 1.
Each x on top crosses out one x on the bottom.
6 pairs cross out.
Nothing is left: it is 1.
The rule: same letter, divide, take away the powers.
xx = 1
6 − 6 = 0
xaxb = xa − b
10/5 is 2.
So we get 2.
= 2
Let's look back.
First: numbers and letters apart.
Last: cross out.
Answer
= 2