sweetbaby Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 I feel so silly but we sold our Algebra I book a year ago. We have Geometry and Algebra II now but anyway we have a problem and I, neither my son, can't remember how we did this in Algebra I. So embarrassing. Can someone help us in simple plain english? B-2 divided by B4 = 1 B6 How is this answer so? I know you subtract exponents when dividing the same base but how do you get the positive 6 with this problem? Thanks The mom who is now regretting the sell of her Algebra I book Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in AL Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 Found it for you Kysha, I was stumped too, not being a mathy person, but I remember dd doing this a couple weeks ago. I had to look it up in her book. Your answer would be B to the -6 power. There's a rule for negative exponents that says x-a=1/xa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetbaby Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 Ok thanks but how did you get the negative 6? Hopefully, one question doesn't continue to lead to another. LOL Thank you so much for helping us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 (edited) To simplify this problem multiply both the numerator and the denominator by b^2. This will turn the numerator into '1' because b^0 =1 and the denominator into b^6. If you wanted to change the form of the original fraction so there was not a denominator you would apply the same principle--and multiply numerator and denominator by b^-4 (answer would be b^-6). Edited January 6, 2009 by Jann in TX more info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle in AL Posted January 6, 2009 Share Posted January 6, 2009 To divide fractions with like bases and any exponents you have to subtract the top exponent from the bottom, so -2-4=-2+(-4)=-6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetbaby Posted January 6, 2009 Author Share Posted January 6, 2009 Thank you so much! This really helped. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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