Step by step
The question
Question: simplify 12x⁵ over 4x².
12x54x2
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.
= 124 x5x2
2 Cross out
We write the powers out.
x⁵ is 5 x's on top.
x² is 2 x's on the bottom.
= 124 xxxxxxx
x/x is 1.
Each x on top crosses out one x on the bottom.
2 pairs cross out.
3 x's are left on top.
The rule: same letter, divide, take away the powers.
xx = 1
5 − 2 = 3
xaxb = xa − b
12/4 is 3.
So we get 3x³.
= 3x3
Let's look back.
First: numbers and letters apart.
Last: cross out.
Answer
= 3x3