Simplify x⁸ ÷ x².

Step by step, with the reason for every step · IGCSE Maths Core Paper 1 · IGCSE Maths

Step by step

Question: simplify x⁸ over x².

x⁸x²

The rule: when we divide the same letter, we take away the powers.

x^ax^b = x^{a − b}

For x: 8 take away 2.

= x^{8 − 2}

8 − 2 is 6.

So we get x⁶.

= x⁶

Answer

= x⁶

Try this one yourself, then check your answer:

Simplify x⁵x³

Show the answer

x²