How do I solve this algebra problem?!


Question: How do I solve this algebra problem?
What do I do to solve this?

8 r^(1/2) s^(-3)
----------------------
2 r^(-2) s^4

Please give me the steps and explain the rules if possible. I really need to be able to understand how to do this, I posted this earlier today with the the answer and someone just wrote the question with the answer, which was no help since the answers are in the back of the book. That person got best answer and now I have to waste more points to post another question.

Answers:

when you divide a variable with a power by the same variable with another power, you subtract the powers. for example x^5/x^2=x^3. so obviously 8/2=4. then r^(1/2)/r^(-2). first you need to find the common denominator in order to subtract the powers so r^(1/2)/r^(-4/2). setting aside the r's 1/2-(-4/2)=5/2 since you are subtracting a negative. so that gives you r^(5/2). then you take your s^(-3)/s^4. -3-4=-7 which gives you s^(-7). so your answer should be 4r^(5/2)s^(-7). Hope that makes sense :)



You need to move the terms with negative exponents over to the other side of the fraction bar, and change the exponents to be positive. When you move them, you'll have [8r^(1/2)*r^2]/[2s^3*s^4]. Add the exponents of like terms, and you'll get [8r^(5/2)]/[2s^7]; divide the whole number terms, and you'll get [4r^(5/2)]/s^7.

http://www.math-prof.com/



Match up the bases and then subtract the exponents

(8/2)(r^(1/2 - -2))(s^ -3 - 4)

4 r^(1/2 + 4/2) s^(-7)

4 r^(5/2) s^(-7)

The negative exponent places the factor in the denominator with a positive exponent

(4 r^5/2))/s^(7)



8/2 = 4

(r^(1/2))/r^(-2) = r^(1/2)*r^2 = r^(5/2)

s^(-3)/s^4 = 1/(s^4)*s^3 = 1/s^7

Answer = 4*r^(5/2)/(s^7)



4 r^5/2 s^-7

You take the powers when dividing.

Hope this helps,
- Oliver



RULE: ANY NUMBER TO THE NEGATIVE NUMBER IS EQUQL TO THE ONE OVER THE NUMBER WITH POSITIVE

8R^1/2XR^2
------------------
2S^3 X s^4

4R^2 1/2
-----------
S^7




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