Step by step
The question
Question: simplify x² over x⁵.
x2x5
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.
= x2x5
2 Cross out
We write the powers out.
x² is 2 x's on top.
x⁵ is 5 x's on the bottom.
= 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 the bottom.
The rule: same letter, divide, take away the powers.
xx = 1
2 − 5 = -3
xaxb = xa − b
So we get 1/x³.
= 1x3
Let's look back.
First: numbers and letters apart.
Last: cross out.
Answer
= 1x3